Albany Tech to Hold Spring Commencement Ceremony

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June 6, 2013- Albany, Ga.-- Albany Technical College will hold its Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 7, 2013, at 7 p.m. at the Albany Civic Center. Preceding the ceremony, a reception will be held from 5pm to 6:45pm in the Meeting Room at the Civic Center.


Over 60 students will be eligible to receive their associate degrees; almost 200 to receive diplomas; and more than 40 technical certificates of credit. In addition, more than 100 students will be eligible to receive their GED®. Several of these students will also be recognized in the program for outstanding achievements and contributions in club organizations, student organizations, and academic excellence, which includes President's List, scholarships, and other affiliations.


The guest speaker for the evening ceremony will be Lieutenant Commander K. Moore, Commanding Officer of the United States Coast Guard Station Atlantic City and Coast Guard Station Small Great Egg.


Lieutenant Moore enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1995. A 2003 graduate of the U.S. Cost Guard's Officers Candidate School and a former second class petty officer, he has served over 16 years in an array of operational and administrative unites. His assignments include Administrative Officer, Office of Congressional and Government Affairs, Washington, D.C., as Deployable Team Leader, Maritime Safety and Security Team Kings Bay, Georgia, Deputy Chief of Enforcement, Sector New York, and his most recent assignment as the Military Aide to Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area and Coast Guard Defense Force East in Portsmouth, Virginia.


Moore's enlisted assignments include serving as a Food Service Specialist onboard the Coast Guard Cutters HORNBEAM, FARALLON, SLEDGE and Integrated Support Command in Miami, Florida. He also served as a Boat Crew and Boarding Team Member at Coast Guard Stations Atlantic City and Great Egg, both in southern New Jersey.


A native of Harlem, New York, Moore received his bachelor's degree in Information Technology from American InterContinental University and a master's in Quality Systems Management from the National Graduate School in Falmouth, Massachusetts. His decorations include a Coast Guard Commendation Medal, four Coast Guard Achievement Medals, and numerous unit awards and citations. In 2010, he was bestowed the NAACP Roy Wilkins Renowned Service Award.


Among those graduating Friday evening, are two exceptional graduates. One is Nature Malone, a student graduating with an associate's degree in Business Logistics Management. She is a single mom of two children and currently works as an Administrative Coordinator for the American Red Cross Flint River Chapter and is a Disaster Relief Volunteer.


Malone credits Albany Tech with grooming her to be "work ready" due to the hands-on applications received in the classroom and labs. She says ATC has built her confidence with the knowledge and skills to enter her new career in Logistics ready to be an asset to any company or organization.


"ATC's job placement rate is in the high 90 percentile because the faculty and staff are always helping students to prepare for employment by assisting them with resume writing, skills assessments, workshops and seminars, and internship and co-op positions," said Malone.


With the internship and co-op positions, Malone says she has been able to secure jobs with American Red Cross National Testing Laboratory in their blood service department, Midwood Ambulance and Oxygen Service in Brooklyn, New York. She especially enjoyed being a driver for medical emergency throughout New York City and now at Flint River Chapter ARC in disaster services.


As a non-traditional student and a single mom, Malone says the Business Logistics online offerings allowed her the flexibility to maintain her family life while working on her degree. She said the instructors lent a great deal of knowledge considering they had worked in the industry and were able to provide top-notch instruction on what it takes to be successful in the field.


"Because Business Logistics Management is a new career choice for me, there were plenty of days where I would drop by my instructor's office or call them on the phone for help and they always gave me the confidence I needed to complete my assignments and participate in class discussions," said Malone.


Malone said there are many choices an individual makes in their lifetime, but attending a technical college is one of the most rewarding choices she could have ever made. "I stand proud and confident that I was taught by the best to be the best, because I am a graduate of the best," added Malone.


Another exceptional graduate is 52-year-old Jemmie Thomas. Initially starting out in the Fire Science Technology program working toward an associate's degree, Thomas found herself battling cancer and losing her mother. After putting college on hold for a while, Thomas returned and will be graduating tonight with her technical certificate in the program. However, she says she won't stop there. She is already enrolled starting this summer to work toward obtaining the associate's degree she set out to obtain.


"Having the degree will open many doors for me and expand my career field," said Thomas.


Thomas attributes her success in the program thus far to her instructor, Don Laye, who is also chair of the Fire Science Technology program. "Chief Laye has been my inspiration," said Thomas. "He is never too busy and offers all the encouragements and always has time for me," she added.

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