When Bill Seigler took the stage as a commencement speaker during the 2010 South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) graduation, he spoke of his successful 14-year journey through college. By taking one class each semester since 1996, Seigler met the requirements for an associate’s degree in business administration.

“I’m sure for each person crossing this stage tonight, there have been various challenges,” Seigler told the audience. “But, for some of us, life seems to impart additional hurdles and at times, barriers. Each person could detail their own story.”

Seigler was one of 272 graduates in SPCC’s Class of 2010, which held a joint ceremony with the Anson County Early College’s 27 high school graduates and seven associate degree graduates. Most grads participated in the May 10 ceremonies held in the Union County Agricultural Services and Conference Center in Wingate.

After he graduated from high school, Seigler volunteered at the Hampton B. Allen Library in Wadesboro. That led to a part-time job in the library on SPCC’s L.L. Polk Campus. Since he was going to be on campus anyway, Seigler and his dad, Wyatt Seigler Jr., reasoned that he should take advantage of the opportunity to take a class and explore the college. One class led to another and another. After two years, the father and son duo decided Bill should declare a major. He chose business administration and worked towards the goal for the next 12 years.

“Consistently, my co-workers in the library have encouraged and assisted me in my somewhat lengthy endeavor, which now has borne fruit,” Bill Seigler told his fellow graduates and their families and friends. “I began the courses to gain an education, but I’ve received so much more. Newfound confidence, poise and self-reliance have now been ingrained in my life.”

Wyatt Seigler talked about when his son first arrived at SPCC. He said Bill Seigler often struggled to carry on conversations, but today that’s all changed. Bill knows people wherever they go, and greets them by name, his dad said, adding that Bill looks forward to Sunday mornings, when he serves as a greeter at Cathedral Baptist Church in Wadesboro.

Always upbeat and tenacious, Bill Seigler just isn’t cut out to fail, he said. Wyatt Seigler explained that his son understands that he often needs to work at a slower pace to complete a task, and he may ask for help more often than some, but perseverance will take him to his goals. He told his fellow graduates, “Strive for excellence, persevere, and establish your goals while maintaining your focus. Do this diligently and you WILL succeed!”

Now a graduate, Bill Seigler continues working in the Horne Library at SPCC. He expects to take more classes, but this time it will just be for the joy of learning, his lifelong pleasure.