LAWRENCEVILLE – On Tuesday, May 9, there was a joyous celebration as Dr. D. Glen Cannon, president of Gwinnett Technical College, conferred hundreds of degrees, diplomas, and certificates to students from all walks of life. In addition, a record number of more than 600 students chose to walk across the stage to receive their new academic credentials and mark the successful completion of their studies at Gwinnett Tech.
The Class of 2023 met adversity head-on and marched forward through sheer will and self-determination through the many barriers life put before them. Many have full-time jobs, families, and financial hardships, yet they still walked across this graduation stage and staked their claim to a great career with a great company or are beginning their own companies.
Dr. Cannon explains, “Our mission is to ensure our students have the knowledge and tools to have a great career. Graduation validates our mission to provide opportunities for our students and community to succeed. We are proud of the tremendous accomplishments of every one of our students, and we stand behind them as they move forward with their lives and thrive.”
Keynote Speaker Bob Mackey, president, and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Georgia, spoke about perseverance, stating, “We’re examples of not giving up despite, in many cases, having been given up on! For some, your first step is a large one; for others, this is a step; regardless of which bucket you fall into, to all, there are several steps you’ve got to take to reach that level of personalized success.”
While many students will launch into their careers immediately following graduation, others will continue their education at other colleges and universities, thanks to Gwinnett Tech’s transfer agreements with other institutions of higher learning across Georgia.
Gwinnett Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degree. Twenty-one programs hold other specific industry accreditations. Many are ranked in the top ten educational programs in the nation.
About Gwinnett Tech: Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgia’s largest technical colleges, is committed to delivering relevant knowledge to meet the workforce training needs of its community. The College offers more than 140 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs and hundreds of seminars, workshops, and courses providing specialized training. Gwinnett Tech is Gwinnett County’s largest corporate training provider and serves residents and businesses in north Fulton County. Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call for questions about the accreditation of Gwinnett Technical College. In addition, some college programs hold separate licensure or accreditation status with appropriate agencies. For more information, visit GwinnettTech.edu. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.