12 September 2005

Longwood seniors given career advice at Convocation

N.H. "Cookie" Scott gives career advice to seniors.

Longwood University seniors were urged at Convocation to "strive for success but not be afraid to fail" in their careers.

"Taking calculated risks can yield some astounding successes," N.H. "Cookie" Scott, deputy director of administration for the Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC) and Longwood's first African-American graduate, said during the ceremony Sept. 8 in Jarman Auditorium. "I have not succeeded at everything I've tried."

Scott, who graduated in 1972 with a sociology degree, gave the seniors other career tips. "Know your craft and learn all you can about your field. Develop your writing skills, which are sadly lacking in the workplace. You will need to be able to write. Be loyal to your organization, though I'm not suggesting you be yes-people. Accept ownership of your issues - what I call your 'stuff.' Have some fun, enjoy what you do, and make a difference. If you don't like where you are, make some changes. Don't stay in a job you don't like."

Scott has worked since 1973 for the DOC, which is the largest State agency, and became its first female deputy director in November 2002. In her Convocation address, she recounted some of the unpleasant experiences, due to her race, that she encountered shortly after entering Longwood in late summer of 1968. The minister of a local church she attended told her she wasn't "welcome to return," and a local restaurant refused to serve her mother.

"I felt lonely and isolated, which I anticipated, though I never felt unsafe here," she recalled. "But those are not the events that defined my experience at Longwood. The events that shaped my life at Longwood and impacted my life positively were the relationships I developed here. I received an excellent education at Longwood. I had professors who made this a wonderful and rewarding experience. I feel as well-prepared as anyone who attended any university."

Dr. Melanie Marks (left), professor of economics and director of the Longwood Center for Economic Education, received the Maude Glenn Raiford Award for Excellence in Teaching at Convocation, where the speaker was Longwood alum N.H. "Cookie" Scott (third from right), deputy director of administration for the Virginia Department of Corrections. Longwood President Patricia Cormier and John B. Adams Jr., rector of the Longwood Board of Visitors, officially welcomed Scott back to campus.

Scott singled out three of her professors for praise: the late Kathleen Cover, her adviser, who taught sociology; the late Dr. Mary Cristo, who taught sociology and anthropology; and Dr. Carolyn Craft, who teaches English and is retiring in December. "Dr. Craft taught me well and is one of my dearest friends," said Scott. Dr. Craft arrived at Longwood at the same time as Scott, whom she taught in classes the first three semesters for both. "It's nice to begin and end my Longwood career with Cookie," said Dr. Craft.

In an interview, Scott, a Charlottesville native, noted that it was a high school guidance counselor, Mrs. Virginia Dofflemeyer, who, wanting her to be a "trailblazer," urged her to attend Longwood. The first African-American student, Barbara Bowles, also from Charlottesville, had enrolled at Longwood a year earlier, in 1967, but transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University. Scott had an African-American roommate her freshman year, Nella Barnett, but after one year she also left.

"By my second year here, I knew I wanted to work in the criminal justice system, which I attribute to Professor Cover, who I had for a juvenile delinquency course," Scott said.

Seniors show off their brightly decorated mortarboards.

The Raiford Award for Excellence in Teaching was presented during Convocation to Dr. Melanie Marks, professor of economics and director of the Longwood Center for Economic Education. The annual award, which recognizes superior teaching, includes a check and a medallion. The award was established by 1990 by Prince Edward County native J.B. Fuqua, a philanthropist and retired entrepreneur of Atlanta, to honor his high school mentor and teacher. Mrs. Raiford, a 1921 Longwood graduate who taught for 34 years, died in 1991.

The Convocation ceremony ended with the longstanding Longwood tradition of "capping," in which seniors had customized, colorfully decorated mortarboards placed on their head by their "little sister" or "little brother." In keeping with the custom, the first to be capped was the senior class president, Craig Smith, which was performed by his best friend, Steven Jones, who delivered the invocation. Jones was assisted by the vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Wayne McWee, which is also part of Longwood tradition.