POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE: THE ABC WAY!
POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE: THE ABC WAY!
By Dr. Jeanne Fredericks
The phrase “pomp and circumstance” associated with graduation ceremonies was first popularized in 1622 by Shakespeare in his play Othello. During Shakespeare’s time, pomp meant a “display of magnificence and splendor” and circumstance referred to the ceremony or fuss made about a special event. The phrase stuck and most U.S. graduates enter graduation ceremonies to Sir Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance Military Marches, Op. 39.” Although Elgar’s Military March was not played at any of the three ABC graduation events and the traditional cap and gowns were not worn, pomp and circumstance was alive and well! Better yet, we did it the ABC way!
With 149 earning ABC Craft Professional Certificates, this year’s graduating class was the largest in our history, existing first as individual chapters and now as a two-state unified chapter! Eighty-eight (88) of the Indiana graduates were also awarded Vincennes University associate degrees by Vice-President David Tucker—the highest VU graduation rate yet! The 2017 National Craft Championships medalists were also recognized during the Indianapolis event.
National Champions
J.R. Christenberry, Gaylor Electric (Electrical Commercial/Industrial)
Joseph Smith, Pritt Electric (Electrical Residential/Commercial)
Silver medalist
Paul Yankauskas III, Gaylor Electric (Electrical Commercial/Industrial)
Electrical Safety Award Winner
Jorge Dias, Gaylor Electric
Bronze Medalist
Jeffrey Pursel, RL Turner Corporation (Carpentry)
Fire Sprinkler Safety Award Winner
Brett Abramczyk, Brenneco Fire Protection
Special Honors
Michael Manship, Brandt Construction, was recognized as the 2017 Craft Professional of the Year
J.R. Gaylor, ABC President & CEO, was honored for 30 years of service to ABC
Craft Instructor of the Year Awards In Louisville
Sammy Woodsm, 2017 Craft Instructor of the Year
Floyd Schanz, 2017 Craft Instructor of the Year Runner-Up
Just 45 minutes from Nashville, Tennessee, ABC Bowling Green graduation speaker Bob Appling, Director of the Bowling Green/Warren County Contractors Licensing Board, reminded graduates about the importance of their achievement and challenged them to always serve their communities with their craft knowledge and skills. In Louisville, Floyd Schanz, Field Operations Manager for the State of Kentucky, Division of Plumbing, congratulated the graduates on passing the state licensing exam and urged them to always help and support each other. In Indianapolis, ABC National Vice President Greg Sizemore urged graduates to be proud of their profession, continue to work hard, and serve others. Rob Griffith, ABC Indiana Trust Board Chair, closed the ceremony by asking graduates to affirm their own strengths to make an even greater positive impact on the world around them.
In closing, I want to thank all ABC training members for their participation in and support of ABC’s training programs, the craft championships, and our graduation events.
Special recognition goes to this year’s graduation sponsors:
Lucas Oil Stadium Tour Sponsor Dinner Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
• Chapman Electric Supply
• Fredericks, Inc. Contractors
Gold Sponsors
• Edwards Electrical & Mechanical
• FasTrack Mechanical
• Ferrer Mechanical Services, Inc.
• National Construction Workforce
• Pritt Electric
Silver Sponsors
• James Babcock Inc.
• RL Turner Corporation
Bronze Sponsor
• Triple J Plumbing LLC
Pomp and circumstance? You bet ‘ya! The ABC Way!
