January 20, 2012 - Albany Technical College will hold Winter Commencement ceremonies for Winter graduates on Friday, January 20, 2012, 7pm, at the Albany Civic Center. A reception will precede from 5 to 6:30pm in the Meeting Room at the Civic Center.
Almost 100 students are eligible to receive associate degrees; more than 300 diplomas; more than 30 technical certificates of credit; and more than 150 will receive their GED.
Keynote speaker for the evening ceremony will be Dr. Linda Thomas-Glover, president of Eastern Shore Community College in Virginia. Prior to becoming the fourth president of Eastern Shore Community College, Thomas-Glover served as Provost/Chief Academic Officer at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College in Kentucky. She has spearheaded the development of new instructional programs and also developed and conducted workforce training. She has also demonstrated successes in establishing and strengthening partnerships with K-12 and transfer institutions and worked successfully to strengthen ties to business and industry and community partners.
Thomas-Glover holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from South Carolina State University, a master’s degree in medicinal chemistry from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a doctorate in chemistry from Temple University in Philadelphia.
Two exceptional graduates will be part of winter commencement. One is Culinary Arts student, Emma Jackson, who is the oldest student to ever go through the program and graduate. “She is a fabulous baker and excellent cook,” said Meryl Krupka, Culinary Arts Chairperson at Albany Technical College. “Her energy, charisma and stamina do not give away her age. She is respected and admired by all.”
Another is Fire Science graduate, Eugene Anderson. Anderson retired from the City of Boston Fire Department and moved to Albany and began employment as Fire Inspector with the Albany Fire Department. He was encouraged to enroll in the Firefighter Program at Albany Tech to receive his Firefighter Certification in order to become certified in the State of Georgia.
After receiving his certification, he immediately enrolled in the Fire Science Technology Program and was awarded the Fire Science diploma. Tonight, he will graduate with his associate of applied science in Fire Science Technology. He is currently a Captain in the Training Division of the Albany Fire Department and an Adjunct Instructor for Albany Technical College.
“Mr. Anderson is a fine example of workforce development, career development, and perseverance,” said Don Laye, Chairperson for the Fire Science Technology program at Albany Technical College. “He is an outstanding instructor and City of Albany firefighter.”
Among these students, there are also several home-schooled students receiving degrees and diplomas at tonight’s ceremonies. Several of these students are honor graduates.
MORE > ALBANY HERALD | WALB | WFXL