Altamaha Technical College Holds Fall Graduation Ceremony

216 graduates received their degrees, diplomas, certificates and GED’s during Altamaha Technical College’s fall graduation ceremony held on December 11, 2008.   Two members of the college’s faculty and staff served as the color guard during the ceremony.  Presenting the colors were 1st Sergeant, U.S. Army retired, James R. Tankersley and Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy retired, Larry Thompson. Cosmetology Instructor, Margaret Brunson led in singing the “Star Spangled Banner.” Students participating in graduation were Casey Evans, Tommy Lee Floyd, Sr. and Melanie Futch-Williams.

The guest speaker for the evening was John Riddle, President and CEO of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Development Authority.  Riddle began his speech by telling the graduates “that although our futures are unclear the journey is what’s so important.”    Riddle went on to say how important it is that we “live our lives each day with energy, creativity, passion and meaning.”
Riddle is a native of Wayne County with family roots that date back to 1821.  He graduated from Wayne County High School in 1982, then attended Middle Georgia College and the University of Georgia where he majored in Political Science.
From 1997-2008, he was Vice President of Marketing and Development for Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA and Executive Director of the GMC Foundation.  Previously, he was with the State YMCA of Georgia as the State Development Director.  John and Connie Riddle have been married for 18 years, have three sons ages 12, 9, and 7 and are actively involved in church and civic duties.

During the ceremony, Clifford Davis, Local Board of Directors Chairman, and Karla Eubanks, Vice President of Student Affairs, presented the academic awards to the graduates. Altamaha Technical College President Lorette M. Hoover and Vice President for Academic Affairs, June  McClain, recognized honor graduates who had an overall GPA of at least 3.5, and President’s Scholastic Medal recipients, graduates who had an overall GPA of 4.0.

In her remarks to the graduating class, Hoover congratulated all the graduates and expressed her pride in their accomplishments.  Hoover also presented Miriam Murray with a special plaque honoring her late husband Joseph Murray who recently passed away.  Murray was an avid supporter of the college and served on the Board of Directors for the past nine years.

Director of Institutional Effectiveness Lonnie Roberts served as Master of Ceremony.