Power of Mentorship to Power of Attorney

Sometimes it takes an active mentor and a little push to help people achieve their potential, as it did for Mr. James Gilley. He completed his active duty in the service three weeks after classes started at Surry Community College for the semester. After much encouragement from a mentor in Student Development and some financial help, Mr. Gilley enrolled in classes and graduated in 1972. He then earned a B.S. degree in business from Winston-Salem State University as one of the first SCC students to attend through a joint articulation agreement. In fact, he was a student-representative to discuss such an agreement with the president of Winston-Salem State University and was unaware that he would be offered acceptance at that very meeting — or that his application was submitted. It was Dr. Jim Reeves, Mr. Gilley’s mentor from Student Development, that had submitted his application and recommended him for admission as one of Surry Community College’s best students. “Looking back, I was so fortunate to have people like Dr. Reeves take a personal interest in me. It inspired and motivated me,” states Mr. Gilley. He continued his education and received his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest’s School of Law, and opened a law practice in Winston-Salem in 1984. He continues to practice tax and business law and estate planning, and is about to recognize his practice’s 25th anniversary.

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