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GATESVILLE – He may be employed at a job located hundreds of miles away, but his heart is always in Gates County.

Benjamin C. Saunders, Jr., a proud native of Gates County, will serve as the commencement speaker for the graduating class of 2025 at Gates County High School. The event is set for May 30 at the high school gym.

As the son of lifelong educators, Benjamin C. Saunders, Sr. and Aileene (Modlin) Saunders, he carries forward a legacy of commitment to learning and community service, cultivated during their time at Elizabeth City State University.

A distinguished alumnus of Gates County High School’s Class of 1988, Benjamin Jr. furthered his education with engineering degrees from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the University of Detroit Mercy. His professional journey has included impactful roles at Ford Motor Company and Freightliner Trucks, leading to his current position at the U.S. Census Bureau in Washington, D.C.

Driven by a passion for service, Benjamin Jr. believes education is pivotal in lifting communities. He is dedicated to inspiring young people to realize their passion and pursue their purpose. He often emphasizes the transformative power of post-secondary education as a vehicle to becoming one’s best self.

Benjamin Jr. remains actively involved in his hometown through Gates County Community Partnership, a local non-profit organization, where he is a charter board member. He also serves as the Executive Advisor for the Saunders Science Scholars program, a local youth development initiative delivered by the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.

His dedication extends to his roles on the Board of Advisors for the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and as a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (Alpha Nu Chapter, North Carolina A&T State University).