Chattahoochee Technical College honored more than 2,800 graduates of the state’s largest technical college during a commencement ceremony held Monday, June 6, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Representing graduates from the summer 2015, fall 2015 and spring 2016 semesters, more than 400 graduates walked across the stage to receive their technical certificate of credit, a diploma or an Associate of Applied Science degree.
“In the life of a college, commencement is our most significant event. It is a celebration of what our candidates for graduation have accomplished and a celebration of the skills and knowledge required for the credentials that they have earned. Graduation is also a celebration of the jobs that they will get or perhaps have already gotten,” CTC President Dr. Ron Newcomb said.
The most popular area of study for graduates was Health Sciences. This was followed by programs in the area of business, including Accounting, Business Administrative Technology, Business Management, Marketing Management and programs in the field of automotive, including Automotive and Diesel Technology.
More than 50 students completed an Associate of Applied Science or diploma program with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average and wore gold honor cords to signify their accomplishment, while 31 military veterans proudly wore red, white and blue honor cords.
During the ceremony, Chattahoochee Technical College’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership winner Jourdan Ortiz and Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year winner Celnisha Dangerfield, who were named regional finalists in the Technical College System of Georgia’s 2016 Student and Instructor of the Year awards, provided the commencement address.
Each encouraged the candidates for graduation to be the very best version of themselves – a challenge Jerry Reddish and Natasha Hightower, both Paulding County residents, have gladly accepted.
“I have always wanted to get a better job to help my family, and Chattahoochee Technical College has helped me obtain the tools I need to make my dreams a reality,” Hightower, who earned an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting, said.

About Chattahoochee Technical College: A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Chattahoochee Technical College is the largest technical college in the state with more than 15,000 students enrolled in the past academic year. The college has eight campus locations serving the counties of Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Gilmer, Paulding, and Pickens. CTC provides a high quality, easily accessible college education at a fraction of the cost of other area colleges and universities. Chattahoochee Technical College awards more than 70 certificates, diplomas and associate degrees in 45 programs of study through traditional classroom courses as well as online training. The college also provides the community with learning opportunities, including customized workforce training, adult literacy and continuing education programs. For more information, visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu.