Edgecombe Community College Student to Keynote Veterans Day Ceremony

Jeremy Snyder

This year, Edgecombe Community College’s keynote speaker for its annual Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony will not be a seasoned politician, retired colonel or general. Instead, ECC’s speaker is interestingly unique–a student veteran who bridges the worlds of military service and academic achievement.

Jeremy Snyder, a US Army Veteran, served from 2004 to 2014. An infantryman deployed seven times to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, the 42-year-old will share his experience and honor other veterans during the Tuesday, Nov. 11 ceremony scheduled to take place at noon in the Mobley Atrium of the Fleming Building on ECC’s Tarboro campus.

“While I am proud of my service, going into the service was the thing that saved my life,” acknowledged Snyder. “It was the one thing I had to do to make a better life for myself.”

That’s exactly what the Olcott, NY native did. After leaving the US Army, Snyder completed the bioworks/advanced biotechnology program and received an aseptic certification at Johnston Community College. This education led to eight years working in the pharmaceutical industry for companies like Pfizer, Novo Nordisk and Merck. Snyder later completed a welding diploma program at Wilson Community College before enrolling at ECC where he will graduate Spring 2026 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology. After graduation, the Lucama, N.C. resident plans to enroll in the welding degree program at ECC.

While at ECC, Snyder has become a student ambassador, an inductee of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and a scholarship recipient. And although he has traded in his combat boots for books, Snyder will not solely focus on his experience during the Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony.

“I will touch on my experience, but it’s not about me,” said Snyder. “It’s about honoring those who are still in service. Also, had it not been for the service members who came before me and laid the foundation, this country would not be what it is now. The veterans of the past paved the way for people like me to serve.”

ECC’s Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony will also include members of the American Legion Auxiliary who will present special tokens to honor Vietnam Veterans in attendance.