Dr. Stewart Roberson delivered the commencement address at Patrick & Henry Community College on Saturday, May 17.
“My recipe for success is to show up. Ninety percent of life is just showing up. Show up for work, for your family, for your community. Be present,” Roberson told graduates and their family and friends gathered for the event.
“Second, work hard. I’m talking honest, good-sweat kind of hard—the kind that makes your back sore and your spirit strong. Third, be kind,” he said, adding, “Success without kindness is empty. A kind word or helping hand will take you further than anything.”
Finally, Roberson encouraged graduates to “keep learning, whether it’s in a classroom or under the hood of a car. Never stop growing. Education is fuel to fill your tank.”
He urged students not to forget their roots, saying they should give back to their community no matter where they begin—just as Patrick County native and former Gov. Gerald Baliles did.
“His aspiration was for value and the values of our hometowns, but he rose to become governor of this great commonwealth. During his time in office, he focused on streamlining transportation and improving access to education,” Roberson said.
Other individuals, groups and organizations, such as the Harvest Foundation, have invested in and impacted the community, he said.
“They teach us to believe in our community, and they remind us to give all that we have the capacity to do,” Roberson said. “This community believes in you. Now it’s your turn to believe in it. Keep learning, keep laughing, keep loving. Always, always remember—your success isn’t how far you go. It’s about how many you bring with you.”
Roberson, chairman of the board of shareholders at Moseley Architects, is a faculty member at the University of Virginia. With a career in education that began in 1977, he has held leadership roles including superintendent of schools in both Hanover County and Falls Church, Virginia. His professional achievements have earned him several honors, including recognition on the Virginia Business Virginia 500 Power List, emeritus board membership with the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education, and honorary membership in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Virginia.
The Bassett High School Honor Guard, under the direction of 1st Sgt. Lonnie Corley, presented the colors and the national anthem.
Dr. Greg Hodges, P&HCC president, delivered the welcome, made introductions and presented faculty awards. Jewell Drewery, chairman, offered greetings from the P&HCC board.
