Students Graduate from CTC

More than 400 graduates are celebrating the certificates, diplomas and degrees they earned in the May 10 commencement at the .

“Under those caps and gowns is a driving force propelling you and all of us toward greatness,” Fellow Chattahoochee Technical College graduate and 2012 student of the year Eric Underwood told his classmates.

More than 1,000 people watched as 120 of the graduates walked across the theater stage, culminating their pursuit of an academic credential and in some cases, marking their successful completion of more than one academic program. Of the 120 students participating in the ceremony, 64 earned Associate of Applied Science Degrees, 35 earned diplomas and 21 earned one or more Technical Certificates of Credit.

Among the graduates was resident Carrie Neal, who graduated with her Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate and a Medical Office Specialist Certificate.

"I want to find a job first so that I can get some experience in the medical field," Neal said. "Then I plan to go back to school to become a registered nurse. I’m excited to be finished. This has taken me a long time, but it is worth it."

The keynote speaker at graduation was Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler, who asked each of the graduates to stand up and turn around to thank the people in the audience who had supported them throughout their educational journeys. In his speech, he encouraged the students to take risks, believe in themselves and to communicate effectively.

"I can tell you from personal experience," Butler said. "I would not be where I am today if I had not taken risks. Sometimes greatness means you have to step up and believe in yourself."

For more information on Chattahoochee Technical College call 770-528-4545 or visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu.