Vt. Tech
Graduates 388

Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center recognized 388 graduates at its commencement ceremony May 17 at the Shapiro Field house on the Norwich University campus in Northfield.

The college conferred 327 associate degree diplomas and 61 bachelor degree diplomas. The class gift was a covering for the SHAPE gymnasium floor.

For graduation speaker (and new graduate) John LaFreniere, this event was a true family affair—his wife, Wendy, and sister, Gail were also graduating. A "non-traditional" student, LaFreniere, who received a bachelor of science degree in business technology and management, noted that this was actually his second graduation from VTC. He first earned an associate’s degree there back in the 1980s, and then began a long career with IBM.

"As my career continued to grow, it became obvious to me that I needed to continue my formal education in a business field, and the choice was obvious—VTC," he said.

"My life has been filled with opportunities, success, achievement, and failure," LaFreniere remarked. "In every opportunity, I was a student of the experience…When it comes to opportunities, there is no tomorrow, there is only now. So when you have determined what you want to accomplish, whether it has to deal with school, life, or work, attack the opportunities with passion."

"Passion is defined as ‘boundless enthusiasm.’ Passion is the main driver of our motivation to succeed. Passion has enabled me to be successful in my relationships, family, education, and career. I have missed opportunities, not made the most out of some, and have had opportunities not turn out as I thought they would. I have failed! I consider it learning experience to be used in the future.

"I do not become complacent and docile because of my failures. I use passion to motivate, learn, and to drive me through tough times. Thomas Edison stated ‘Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.’ Take the things that you are passionate about and make them your life and career."

"Don’t simply imagine the future towards which you are heading, but rather the future which you consider ideal, " LaFreniere concluded. "Use your passion as a compass to guide you on the roads of opportunity."

2008 Area Graduates

The following VTC graduates are from the Herald’s coverage area.

Associate of Applied Science in Architectural and Building Engineering Technology, Homer Thornton Hayslett, III, South Royalton; Automotive Technology, Simon C. Kribstock, Randolph; and Kade P. Vorce, Braintree; Business Technology and Management, Nicole Brittany Bahr, Bethel; Sarah A. Braley, South Royalton; May Francis Edson, Tunbridge; Kelsey Ann Hill, Bethel; Caitlin Leonora Romeo, Sharon; and Melissa L. Turner, Randolph.

Also: Construction Practices and Management, Calvin D. Russell, Randolph Center; Andrew M. Starzec, Brookfield; and Daniel Patrick Whooley, Randolph; Dairy Farm Management Technology, Asa J. Baer, Chelsea; Samantha Ann Conant, Randolph Center; Jesse James Manning, Sharon; Lydia A. Petty, Randolph Center; and Andrew Lee Wright, Randolph; Landscape Development and Ornamental Horticulture, Malia Leilani Anderson, Braintree; and Elizabeth Rose Clark, Randolph; and Veterinary Technology, Nell Bartlett Fisher, Randolph; Jennifer L. Gagnon, Randolph Center; and Laura M. Woods, Randolph.

Associate of Engineering in Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology, Joseph J. Bent, Jr., Braintree; Justin Matthew Densmore, Tunbridge; and James B. Goodall, Randolph; Electrical Engineering Technology, Tyson O. Burrell, Bethel; David J. Kresock, Randolph Center; and Amanda L. Lavallee, Bethel; Mechanical Engineering Technology, Kirben James Joseph Jedinak, Brookfield; and Devin A. Noyes, Bethel.

Associate of Science in Computer Information Technology, Jeffrey A. MacAskill, Brookfield; Nursing, Kathryn A. Brooks, Braintree; William James Floyd, III, Bethel; Marie Lee Kurutza, Randolph Center; Tammy Jo Ladd, Randolph; and Debra Lynn Tuttle, Tunbridge.

Bachelor of Science in Business Technology and Management, Heather Marie Adams, Randolph Center; Emily J. Benoit, South Royalton; Galen Gregory Bilgen, Strafford; Meredith Wesley Mills, Stockbridge; Emily A. Simoneau, Bethel; and Tabitha May Stearns, Sharon; Computer Engineering Technology, Kori B. Joyce, Randolph Center; and Electromechanical Engineering Technology, Michael P. Hildenbrand, Randolph.

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