Coosa Valley Technical College Holds Fall 2007 and Winter 2008 Commencement Ceremony

Coosa Valley Technical College (CVTC) held Graduation on Thursday, March 20, 2008 for the Fall 2007 and Winter 2008 graduating classes. With 178 graduates crossing the stage to receive associate degrees and diplomas, CVTC saw one of the biggest crowds on record.

Ron Jackson, Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia, was the guest speaker. The state board that oversees the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) appointed Jackson as commissioner of the TCSG on February 6, 2008. He had been the interim commissioner of the TCSG since December 2006. He first came to the system to serve as its deputy commissioner in December 2004. Jackson was the deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) from 2002 to 2004. Prior to that, he was OPB’s director of strategic planning, research and evaluation. While at OPB he served three governors and worked on many projects across state government, including strategic planning for the state and its government agencies. He was also closely involved with management of Georgia’s program and results-based budgeting, the development of the state’s new web-based financial management system and the Governor’s Legislative Tracking System, and he advised the Education Reform Study Commission. Jackson also worked for the State Olympic Law Enforcement Command, the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Texas Department of Corrections.Jackson has published several articles in professional journals and newsletters, as well as supervising the editing and publishing of the Texas Journal of Corrections.

Jackson told graduates that anything was possible as long as they kept dreaming. He also told them that their family, friends, and instructors were the foundation to their success.

Derrick Wade, CVTC’s 2008 GOAL Award Winner and early childhood education student gave the invocation and lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Before enrolling at CVTC, Wade attended Central Texas College, Valdosta State University and Southeast High School. He retired from the United States Marine Corps, where he served as communications technician, instructor/inspector and safety and security specialist. He also has experience as a direct care supervisor for Park Wood Development Center and as a volunteer peer counselor. Wade has received many awards and honors. While in the military, he was awarded the Iraqi Freedom Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Naval Achievement Medal. He is also a Marine Corps honor graduate and a Harry B. Thompson Scholar. He has volunteered for many organizations including Toys for Tots, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Atlanta, American Red Cross and National Bridge Foundation.

Click here to see the graduation program

Click here to see the Rome News Tribune article