New traditions and a new look, too!

Pierpont Community & Technical College celebrated it's first independent spring commencement on Friday, May 15. What a wonderful evening! It was truly inspiring to place the focus on our students and their achievements. A time to reflect on our history, our name and to unveil a new icon to represent our institution.

Nearly 90 students participated in the commencement ceremony. They came from all walks of life. Some came to Pierpont directly from high school. Others came to Pierpont from the school of hard knocks. But they all came to the Feaster Center on Friday night proud of their accomplishments and excited about their futures.

Pierpont's Spring Commencement was the second separate ceremony observed by our college. The first was in December 2008. And, like at the December ceremony, we learned a little about the Pierpont story from Julia Pierpont herself. She came and shared the living history and helped us realize the importance and power of the Pierpont name. Professor Emerita JoAnn Lough, who brought Mrs. Pierpont to life, began her remarks with these words "to be remembered is to live on in history." Francis Pierpont transformed our state with his leadership, vision and contributions just as our graduates, faculty and staff transform it still today. And with their contributions we continue to build and celebrate the Pierpont legacy.

As part of the ceremony, Board of Governors Chair James Griffin and President, Blair Montgomery unveiled the new Pierpont logo. When asked why a new logo was needed President Montgomery remarked " Pierpont Community & Technical College is a special place and deserves a special insignia to respresent it and all that it does for the people of West Virginia." The new logo embodies growth, change, community and flexibility. It incorporates technology and arts and crafts. It shares some elements with the logo of Fairmont State, just as we share main campus, but has it's own look and feel as we have our own distinct mission. Pierpont is indeed a special place, with a special history and a name of distinction. We should all be proud to be part of the Pierpont family.