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Raleigh Alumnus Fulfills Promise, Sets Example for Family
J
ust two years out of high school,
Preston Whittington faced a hard
decision. His stepfather had just died and
his family needed help. So, he decided
to leave college and go to work, but not
without making his mother a promise.
“I told her that one day I would go back
and finish college,” says Preston. “Well,
I did it. I just didn’t think it would take 30
years!”
After a stint in the Air Force and two
decades as a corrections officer, Preston
enrolled at ECPI University’s Raleigh
campus. In the six years since, he has
persevered with a singular determination.
“I really did it for two reasons,” says
Preston. “First, there was that promise to
my mother. But there was also an issue
with my children. I have five of them and,
at the time, two had already graduated
from college but the other three were not
doing very well in school. I wanted to set
an example.
“I told them I would not accept any
excuses. I told them that I was not asking
them to do anything that I wasn’t willing
to do myself; and I told them that while
there may be people out there who are
smarter, they can always outwork them!”
To say that Preston succeeded with his
plan would be a bit of an understatement.
He received his Bachelor of Science
Degree in Computer and Information
Science with a concentration in Network
Security, served as president of all three
honor societies – Phi Theta Kappa,
National Technical Honor Society, and
Golden Key – and was co-president
of Student Government. He also had
perfect attendance and finished with a
3.98 GPA.
After working for IBM as a hardware test
engineer, he took a position with NetApp
as a SAN Interop Windows Engineer. “It’s
a great job and I am making more money
than I’ve ever made in my life,” says
Preston. “When I first started with IBM,
I was 53 years old. Getting to that point
was not easy, but with the help of Jesus
Christ, I did it!”
As for his three youngest children, all
of them are now in college and doing
very well. Preston says his oldest son
went from a 1.9 GPA in high school to
the dean’s list. His wife even went back
to school. “We wanted to start a new
tradition in our family that everyone gets
a college degree,” he says. “I hope it’s a
tradition that will live on for many years to
come.”
Online – Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronics Engi-
neering Technology with a concentration in Mechatronics
.
This program is intended to prepare graduates to work in the
growing field of advanced manufacturing. Curriculum includes
coursework in:
Applied Mechanics
Programmable Controllers
Hydraulics and Pneumatics
Testing and Measuring Instruments.
Computer Hardware and Software
Materials Science
Analog/Digital Electronics and Communications
Automation and Control Systems
Computer Programming and Networks
Microcontrollers
Newport News
–
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business
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This
program is intended to prepare graduates for a variety of entry-
level positions, including staff accountant, budget analyst,
auditor, tax accountant, and the rising specialty of forensic
accounting, in fields such as:
Manufacturing
Retail
Non-Profit
Transportation and Logistics
Banking
Services
Information Systems
Government
New Programs on Campus