Minority Males Encouraged to Pursue Education

Abel Sutton, this year's "College Bound: Here We Come" speaker, takes questions following his remarks. Earlier, he told the students: "Whatever you want to do in life, remember that Abel Sutton told you it's possible."

WINTERVILLE�A select group of Pitt County high school seniors received some candid advice this month about the importance of pursuing a college education.

Pitt Community College held its annual �College Bound � Here We Come� program for minority males on March 26. The event, which was held in PCC�s Goess Student Center, featured remarks from Abel Sutton, an East Carolina University graduate and professional public speaker.

The 24-year-old Sutton, an Elizabeth City resident, encouraged the students, who represented each of the county�s six high schools, to seek higher education after receiving their diplomas.

�When I was where you are, I was ready to get out of school,� Sutton said. �� (But) when you get out of high school, life starts.�

Donning a graduation cap and gown, Sutton told the students they had four options once they finished high school: military service, employment in the fast food industry, doing nothing, and higher education.

Sutton said those who choose to do nothing face a life of trials and tribulations on a path leading to prison. But those who choose education, he said, have opportunities.

�You only become what you accept,� Sutton said. �I don�t care where you come from; you have the opportunity to plan what you do with your life.

�Wipe away all of the excuses. They are tools of incompetence to build monuments to nothingness.�

Sutton, who is the Arts and Education Director of Arts of the Albemarle and a gospel singer, urged the students to look within themselves and find greatness and their life�s niche. �You aren�t going to be good at everything, but you�re going to be good at something,� he said.

In addition to receiving Sutton�s sage advice, College Bound participants toured the PCC campus and discussed college readiness with mentors from the school.

Earlier in the day, PCC President G. Dennis Massey welcomed the students to campus and explained that the College Bound program is part of the school�s efforts to increase enrollment, persistence and program completion by minority males in credit and non-credit programs.

�You need to make a commitment to yourself and your family that you are going to take your future seriously,� Massey told the students. �� We want to see you succeed here, get an education and go into the local workforce.�

Dr. Donald Spell, Vice President of PCC�s Student Development Services Division, said Pitt holds College Bound each year to �help remove barriers that may make it difficult� for minority males to continue their studies after finishing high school.

Started in 2007, previous College Bound events have featured remarks from N.C. Court of Appeals Judge James A. Wynn Jr. and Elizabeth City State University Chancellor Willie Gilchrist.

03/30/2009