Lanier Technical College held its 2016 commencement Friday night, its 50th graduation exercise, and awarded 235 degrees, 394 diplomas, and 631 certificates to students who had successfully completed their program of study.
The youngest graduate is an 18 year-old Hall County resident, who attended the Oakwood Campus. The oldest graduate is 72, also from Hall County, and attended the Jackson Campus.
Graduates came from each of the seven counties that the College serves. Banks County had 21 graduates, Barrow had 81, Dawson 54, Forsyth 192, Hall 304, Jackson 64, Lumpkin County had 32, and 237 graduates came from outside the College’s traditional service. The Class of 2016 had 610 females and 375 males.
Dr. Ray Perren, the school's President, told the graduates, “This is the 50th Graduating Class from Lanier Technical College. Besides being our "golden anniversary class", this class is special in many ways. The class includes the largest number of associate degrees ever awarded by Lanier Technical College. The class also includes the first Lanier Tech students to earn the Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Physical Therapist Assistant and in Health Information Management Technology. We are proud of each and every one of our graduates. This class represents the very best and brightest to enter our region's workforce.”
Medical Assisting had the highest number of graduates, followed by Early Childhood Care & Education, Cosmetology’s Shampoo Technician, Practical Nursing, and Emergency Medical.
Keynote speaker was Amy O’Dell, a Lanier Tech Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year and the Lead Instructor in the Interiors Program. O’Dell told the graduates, “…You are awesome!” She also offered encouragement.
“Now, my final message for you, you awesome grads. This is something that I tell my boys on the first day of school every year. I think it is also applicable for you on your very last day of being a student at LTC. Be bold, be brave. I believe in you. Graduates of the class of 2016, you are warriors of the workforce, experts of economic development, innovators of industry, and you are taking on the business world, like a boss!”
