Vance-Granville Community College held its commencement ceremony at the Main Campus in Henderson, N.C., with a keynote address delivered by a representative from the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank. The speaker expressed gratitude to the graduating class for the invitation to speak, acknowledging that "you had absolutely no say in it, I’m sure, but I am grateful nonetheless."

The address highlighted the Federal Reserve's goals of stable prices and maximum employment, emphasizing attention to labor market dynamics. The speaker noted the mismatch between available jobs and skills and recognized community colleges like Vance-Granville for helping bridge this gap. "They help students like you build their skills relatively quickly and cost effectively," said the speaker.

The Richmond Fed has shown interest in community colleges and launched a survey to capture their contributions better. The speaker expressed excitement about celebrating the graduates' achievements, stating that "by successes, I mean all of you."

Addressing life's challenges and opportunities, the speaker shared six pieces of advice: Keep Up with changes; Meet Up with people; Look Up to mentors; Free Up time for passions; Save Up money for freedom; and Keep Your Head Up through life's ups and downs.

The speech concluded on an encouraging note: "Bottoms up. Cheers to you and your loved ones. I’m excited to see where you go from here."

Graduates were congratulated for completing their programs amidst various responsibilities. Support systems such as family, friends, instructors, and mentors were also acknowledged for their roles in this journey.