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As final quarter students at DeKalb Technical College prepare for their final quarter exams, student affairs administration and the registrar’s office is planning for the 2009 graduation ceremony. Graduation will be held Saturday, July 18, at 10:00 a.m. at Mount Carmel Christian Church, 6015 Old Mountain Rd., Stone Mountain, GA.
“Approximately 550 degree and diploma students qualify for graduation,” says Registrar Karen Sills. DeKalb Tech’s overall enrollment for spring 2009 is 4,233 which is a 17% increase from spring 2008.
The 2009 GOAL Student of the Year, Gina R. Smith, will be a student commencement speaker and will also formally march to receive her Associate Degree for Paralegal Studies earned in 2008. Ms. Smith, a Rockdale County resident, is currently a student at Clayton State University with the ultimate goal of opening a corporate law firm specializing in aviation law and management. She is involved in the community as a Georgia Courts Appointed Special Advocate Representative (CASA) for the Rockdale Juvenile Court System; a public school volunteer; and, a pastoral care ministry leader. She was consistently on the President’s List at DeKalb Tech which requires a 4.0 grade point average.
“She is a remarkable lady, outstanding student, and knows full-well the value of technical education,” says College President Dr. Robin Hoffman.
Professional speaker for graduation is Judge Horace Johnson who serves on the Superior Court of the Alcovy Judicial Circuit whose jurisdiction includes both Newton and Walton counties. Judge Johnson, a Newton County native and current resident, graduated from Emory University’s Business School and the University of Georgia Law School. The Judge has a long history of community, professional, and church volunteerism. He was in private law practice for 20 years prior to his appointment by Gov. Roy Barnes in September 2002 to the Superior Court bench for a newly created seat. He has been re-elected twice, in 2004 and 2008, without opposition.
For more information on DeKalb Technical College, go to www.dekalbtech.edu.
Photo ID: student speaker Gina R. Smith
