William Peace University has developed a special relationship with a downtown neighbor that honors Peace education majors.
The Governor’s Mansion hosted the Teacher Education Ceremony for the sixth year.
Eighteen current or future educators were recognized on Wednesday afternoon. Once again, the staff at the Executive Mansion rolled out the red carpet for William Peace University students and their families, as well as faculty and staff.
Chiavari chairs trimmed in gold filled the room where the students were honored. The back hallway behind the staircase featured a table with cookies and drinks for the guests before the ceremony began.
William Peace University could honor its future educators anywhere, but the relationship with the Executive Mansion, located a few blocks away from campus, is the perfect match.
“William Peace University’s Education Department has a strong connection with the Governor’s Mansion because the people who have served here have all been advocates for education,” Education Department Chair Robin Vincent said. “We are putting people into North Carolina schools.”
Vincent said there has always been a warm welcome from the staff at the mansion, who go out of their way to make the honored guests feel special.
Peace President Lynn Morton addressed the group at the start of the ceremony, standing at a podium, looking around the room, and saying, “How lucky are we?”
Morton told the group she comes from a family of teachers and knows the impact teachers have very well.
“All of us have a favorite teacher,” Morton said. “Some of us have a teacher who is not our favorite, but who helped us in ways that we really didn’t appreciate at the time. I cannot overstate the importance of what you’ve been studying to do.”
Two students were recognized during the event. Jamie Luersen was named the School of Professional Studies (SPS) Exemplary Educator Award Winner, and Chloe Kumkle was named the Traditional Undergraduate Exemplary Educator Award Winner.
After the ceremony, students and their families stayed around, posing for pictures all around the mansion. No area on the first floor was off limits for a quick photo opportunity.
The moments captured on camera, to be kept for a lifetime of memories, felt exclusive.
To Vincent, exclusive is the perfect phrase to describe the event and the honorees’ future professions.
“Being a teacher is (exclusive),” Vincent said. “All of these students will be educators, and we can have this place to celebrate that. It’s important.”
Students Honored at Teacher Education Celebration
Jamie Luersen
Nicole Jackson
Chloe Kunkle
LaKimia Eason
Camron Durham
Alesia Brack
Megan McAnany
Analise Harbeson
Chloe Delacote
Chassie Jacops
Daniel Steele
Jerri Hanson
Carina Hernandez
Shania Williams
Kathryn Davis
Mikki Martin
Rebecca Ferrell
Georgia Grace Anderson
