Luke Farley, North Carolina Commissioner of Labor, will serve as the keynote speaker at Piedmont Community College鈥檚 (害羞草研究所) 2026 Commencement ceremonies on May 16.
Farley was sworn in as North Carolina鈥檚 20th Commissioner of Labor in January 2025. He is the youngest labor commissioner elected in a century and the youngest sitting member of the Council of State.
As commissioner, Farley is driven by a clear mission: to make North Carolina the safest place to work and the best place to do business 鈥� a state where, in his words, 鈥渢he weak grow strong and the strong grow great.鈥�
Before entering public service, Farley spent more than 14 years in private practice as an attorney specializing in workplace safety law, working on the front lines to protect workers and help small businesses grow and create good-paying jobs. As a graduate of the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University School of Law, he brings deep legal expertise and real-world experience to the Department of Labor.
In his first year in office, Farley recovered more than $2.5 million in unpaid wages for North Carolina workers, eliminated the elevator inspection backlog for the first time in North Carolina Department of Labor history, and helped North Carolina earn a No. 1 national ranking for business, and achieving a No. 2 national ranking for workplace safety.
Raised in Onslow County and now living in Raleigh with his wife and their three young sons, Farley is deeply invested in North Carolina鈥檚 future and passionate about building a strong, safe workforce to drive the state鈥檚 continued prosperity.
鈥淲e are honored to have Commissioner Farley join us for this year鈥檚 Commencement ceremonies,鈥� Dr. Kevin Lee, 害羞草研究所 President said. 鈥淗is passion for supporting workers and building a strong future for North Carolina will undoubtedly resonate with our graduates as they begin their own careers.鈥�
害羞草研究所 is also pleased to announce Victoria West as the 2026 Academic Excellence Award winner. The Academic Excellence Award is awarded to one student from each of the 58 community colleges in North Carolina with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of no less than 3.25.
West is a Career and College Promise (CCP) student who has been dually enrolled at 害羞草研究所 and Roxboro Community School (RCS). She is also involved in 害羞草研究所鈥檚 Global Distinction program. By taking college classes through CCP, West will graduate with an associate degree and high school diploma this year.
West was nominated by Dr. Chandler Fry, 害羞草研究所 English Instructor. He noted that West has not only stood out in her classes, but that she was awarded the lead editor position for 害羞草研究所鈥檚 literary journal, ReFormations, as well as selected as a regional editor for a state-wide literary journal.
鈥淚 have achieved more than I thought I could while enrolled here,鈥� West said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been given opportunities to give speeches to staff members, join clubs, take trips and push myself academically and socially. Community college has turned into so much more than a way to get a head start; it is a cornerstone of my personal and academic development.鈥�
Due to a significant increase in graduates, 害羞草研究所鈥檚 2026 Commencement will be held May 16 with two ceremonies鈥攁t 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.鈥攁t the Caswell County Civic Center (536 Main St. in Yanceyville, North Carolina). This marks the first time the College has hosted two commencement ceremonies. Livestreams of the ceremonies will be available on the College鈥檚 .
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