Dr. Melanie Stewart, owner and CEO of Johnathan’s House, Inc., will serve as the commencement speaker for spring graduation at Southeastern Community College. The graduation exercises will take place on Friday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. on the stage erected in front of A-Building on the college campus.

Graduating number one out of 861 students in the Campbell University Class of 1993, Dr. Stewart received a religion degree and the prestigious Algeron Sydney Sullivan Award at the age of 33. At the age of 32, divorced and a single mother, she was crowned “Miss Campbell University 1992.”

Founder and Former Director of the Campbell University Gospel Choir, Dr. Stewart was instrumental in developing an academic gospel music program whereby students are now able to receive college credit for enrollment in the Campbell University Gospel Choir. She served as President of the Campbell University Religion Club, President of Omicron Delta Kappa, The Campbell University Presidential Club, President of the Campbell University Women’s Executive Organization, and other service organizations. Melanie received a scholarship to attend Duke Divinity School and performed in the Duke University Gospel Choir.

Featured in such magazines as Ebony and Essence and on WTVD’s “Prime Time Sunday,” Dr. Stewart has excelled as a role model, motivational speaker and mentor for children as well as adults. Obstacles and life struggles that she had to overcome was the feature story, entitled “Against the Odds” in the News & Observer in February 1993.

In August 1990, she started a small tutoring service in her home while attending undergraduate school. Three years later it became a much sought-after business. At that time, she named her home business “Johnathan’s House.” Soon, the company was incorporated; employees where hired and certified; and franchise opportunities of “Johnathan’s House” were made available. Today, “Johnathan’s House” has expanded into a chain of tutoring centers, day cares and private schools.

In 2001, Dr. Stewart was instrumental in developing a committee to help restore the downtown district of her hometown, Angier, N.C. With many buildings empty and/or abandoned, a group of 12 citizens formed the “Angier Revitalization Committee.” Under her leadership, this once sleepy downtown is thriving once again. Shops opened, and vacant buildings were renovated. In November 2002, Melanie opened “Jessie’s Place,” an antique shop named in honor of her maternal grandmother. “Edwina’s Place” was opened in June and dedicated to her mother who passed away the 14th of the same month. In the fall 2003 Melanie opened Angier’s first antique mall, “Hometown Antique Mall,” thereby giving over 25 entrepreneurs the opportunity to expand their businesses. Realizing that the spark had been lit and that there were other giants to conquer, she donated this business to Gilead Kingdom Ministries.

As an ordained minister, Dr. Stewart served on the Board of Chaplains at Betsy Johnson Hospital in Dunn, N.C. and Wake Medical Center, in Raleigh, N.C. She in the host of a daily radio broadcast entitled “Wisdom Ministries” on WCRY in Fuquay-Varina, N.C. An active member of her community and a highly sought after motivational speaker, she served on the Board of Directors for the Town of Angier, N.C. and remains an inspiration to all who know her.

In April 2004, she was honored by the prestigious Women's Club of Fuquay-Varina as a “Woman of Excellence: Pioneering, Courage and Leadership.” This award was presented by the Mayor of Fuquay-Varina.