The beginning of December will be the cent for Tech Volunteer

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Lelia Gibson, director of communications and special projects at Tennessee Tech’s College of Business, first volunteered to help with the installation during a graduate degree 20 years ago. This December 17th, she will be volunteering for her 99th and 100th inauguration ceremony.

The university will hold two early fall ceremonies on Saturday December 17 at the Hooper Eblen Center. A midday ceremony will honor graduates from the College of Graduate Studies, College of Engineering, College of Fine Arts, College of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Whitson-Hester School of Nursing. A ceremony will be held at 3:00 pm for the College of Graduate Studies, College of Agriculture and Human Ecology, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and College of Education.

Gibson will be working behind the scenes on both, just as he has done for two decades.

“On that first time, one of the people working for the degree came to help with my College of Business banquet, so I said to her, ‘Let me help you with your degree!’ But then, you know, once you volunteer, you always volunteer, ”Gibson said with a laugh.

He began working as an usher, but year after year he learned the basics, gradually taking on the additional role of coordinating the ushers and helping direct the faculty and deans to their seats for the event.

“I have a very energetic way,” he joked. “They say, ‘Oh, that’s Lelia with the teacher’s voice.'”

Though things can get frantic behind the scenes during a graduation, Gibson said what keeps her coming back every year is seeing the excitement in students and their families during the big day. She also likes to see her business students graduate and be able to celebrate with them.

“Leila is always someone you can count on to volunteer. She always has the best interests of others at heart and you know you can rely on her, “said Denise Colwell, who leads the kickoff event efforts at Tech.” Leila has so much knowledge and experience and selflessly gives her time and energy year after year. Technology is a better place thanks to people like you. ”

One of the biggest changes she has seen over the years was when Tech switched to holding two graduation ceremonies in one day instead of one. The average number of graduating students had grown so much that there was no way to welcome them all with their families and loved ones in one ceremony.

“At one point people got angry that we couldn’t guarantee them a place at the graduation ceremony. And there were a couple of times we had to take buses to bring people to campus, “recalls Gibson.” The two graduation ceremonies made such a difference. ”

Gibson intended to make her 90th ceremony the last, however after she came to help briefly with her 91st ceremony, she found herself continuing to volunteer again and again.

“I’ve always been taught to have a servant’s heart,” he said. “When you are given something, you should give back and help people – that’s always how I’ve seen it. This is a college service that I love and want to see successful. Plus, it’s really fun to be in the middle of all graduation day. ”

For more information on Tech’s early fall plans, visit www.tntech.edu/commencement.

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