Johnston Community College inaugurated its third president, Dr. David N. Johnson, on Friday.

Johnson, a native of Raleigh, comes to JCC with 20 years of experience in community college leadership.

In his inspiring inaugural address, Johnson referenced two important milestones in 1969 -- the symbolic journey to the moon and the birth of JCC.

"Since that time - and under the leadership of two forward-thinking presidents - what I've found is a very good place and an institution ready to take that symbolic journey to the moon," Johnson told the audience. "We are poised to make the leap. And in doing so, our leap will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills."

Johnson said the mission would not be an easy one but one that could be achieved with intentional design, engagement, and innovation.

"We must be prepared," he added. "It is no secret that our future holds rapid change, shrinking resources, and increased competition. And yet, we at JCC are expected to make dreams come true regardless of the circumstances we find and find ourselves in. We accept gladly our mission to enable, to prepare, to lead our community to pull itself up by its bootstraps and fly higher and farther than imaginable."

Representatives from some 20 community colleges and four-year colleges and universities attended the ceremony. Superior Court Judge Thomas Lock administered the oath of office, and Franklin Creech, son of the late artist Frank Creech, presented Johnson with the bronze president's medallion, which Creech designed and created.

In addition to college faculty and staff representatives, other participants in the inaugural convocation included Dr. Ed Croom, superintendent of Johnston County Schools, Dr. Scott Ralls, president of the North Carolina Community College System, Wade Stewart, chairman of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners, Dr. Jerry M. Wallace, president of Campbell University, and Dr. Edgar J. Boone, professor emeritus at North Carolina State University. Music was by Carolina Brass and pianist Kerry R. Johnson.