West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) held its summer commencement ceremony on Thursday, August 1 at the Murphy Campus Conference Center in Waco. The ceremony honored students who received associate degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates across various fields, including healthcare, information technology, business, and industrial technologies.

159 students walked across the stage to receive their degree, diploma, or technical certificate from WGTC President Dr. Julie Post, with some students obtaining more than one credential. Over 500 awards were conferred this semester.

The graduating class showcased a diverse range of individuals, spanning ages 17 to 67. Among the graduates were 44 men and 115 women, including 14 active military members, veterans, and military dependents or spouses. The class featured unique stories such as a pair of twins completing the Associate Degree Nursing program and two students who embarked on their educational journeys at Carroll Tech over 25 years ago.

The keynote speech was delivered by Brian Dill, President and CEO of Carroll Tomorrow and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. Dill congratulated the students, over 40% of which are first generation college graduates, for taking the first step in changing their futures.

“Most of you are taking the first steps towards a career that will guide your life choices for years to come,” Dill said. “There has never been a better time to enter the workforce in Georgia and in the U.S. For every four people retiring from skilled trades in the United States, only one is stepping up to take their place. Companies are struggling to find the talent they need to operate effectively, and this is where you come in. WGTC has prepared you to enter your chosen profession tomorrow because they trained you with employment in mind today.”

WGTC nursing graduate Kelly Garrison delivered her own words of advice to her fellow classmates.

“Nighthawks are said to embody characteristics of adaptability, diligence, determination, and perseverance,” said Garrison. “As I reflect over the last few years of my college experience, I realize that the educational achievements that we celebrate today have been made possible due to our ability to embody these same characteristics. Wherever life takes you, whatever goals you set out to accomplish, whatever obstacles are in the way, always remember to push hard, dig deep, and never forget to let your inner ‘Knighthawk’ shine.”

To learn more about how WGTC can help you achieve your educational and career goals, visit westgatech.edu

West Georgia Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson, and Troup counties and class sites in Heard and Meriwether counties, offers more than 120 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Georgia Tech is one of the largest of the state’s 22 technical colleges. For more information, please visit www.westgatech.edu.