North Greenville University graduated 142 students Dec. 6, making it the largest December graduating class in school history. J. Lee McCormick, retired educator and former NGU vice president, delivered the commencement address.
J. Lee McCormick and his wife Barbara McCormick were both awarded honorary doctorates during the 2007 December commencement for their service to North Greenville University. Looking on is NGU president Jimmy Epting.“Today my thoughts are for the graduates. You have made some serious decisions in your life to achieve this goal to become a graduate of North Greenville University,” stated McCormick, who began work at the institution in 1996. “You have been advised by your parents and loved ones all of your life, so be sure to thank them for their guidance.”
He implored the graduates to give back financially to a school that has given to them. “Make certain your school can continue to provide a Christian education,” said McCormick, of York.
McCormick shared four areas that he wanted the 114 undergraduates and 28 graduate students to take with them: 1) set a mission statement for your life; 2) establish short- and long-term goals to follow your mission statement; 3) center your marriage in the Lord; and 4) be responsible with your money.
The T. Walter Brashier Graduate School graduated its first class at the December commencement. The school opened at the Fairview campus in Greer in 2006 by offering two master’s degree programs in business administration and Christian ministry. Although the school graduated its first student last December and six more this past May, among this group of 28 were the first to complete all their graduate work at NGU.
Alillian Trull and her daughter Julie Ann Powers, both of Travelers Rest, graduated with their MBA degrees as members of the first official graduating class of NGU’s T. Walter Brashier Graduate School.Before the graduates were awarded their degrees, McCormick was awarded an honorary doctor of Christian leadership at the conclusion of his address and was hooded by NGU president Jimmy Epting.
“You (Dr. Epting) have been my mentor for the past 11 years, you just thought that I was yours,” stated McCormick, who was assistant principal at Rock Hill High School when Epting was a student there.
As a surprise, McCormick’s wife Barbara was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters. She has served in numerous official and unofficial capacities at NGU.
McCormick and his wife, members of First Baptist Church, Clover, are 1955 North Greenville graduates.
He also is a graduate of Furman University, Southeastern Baptist Seminary and Winthrop University. He received his doctorate in education from South Carolina State University.
McCormick had wide experience in the field of education as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and district superintendent. He was also a regional representative with the U.S. Department of Education.
McCormick served on the North Greenville board of trustees prior to becoming an employee. Since that time, he has been awarded the Alumni Service Award in 2002 and the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award.