“Technical College of the Year” Ogeechee Technical College filled Georgia Southern University’s Hanner Fieldhouse with its largest graduating class in history.
    Four hundred students were awarded diplomas, certificates, or GED’s at Thursday’s commencement ceremony.
    Barry Turner, Vice President for Community College Relations at Ogeechee Technical College said it was a sight to see, as Hanner was packed from rafter to rafter.
    “We had the largest number of graduates we have ever had for a single year…So, we had a full house tonight, and this is the most people we have ever had here and walked across the stage,” said Turner.
    The past year has been one of growth for Ogeechee as enrollment grew by 10.3 percent with 4,470 students attending classes, and 993 students graduating from a diploma, degree, or certificate program in the last year.
    “Graduation is a time of celebration for our students, their family and friends, and for our faculty and staff.  We are all excited to acknowledge the hard work of each student in reaching this milestone,” said President Dawn Cartee.
     District four Senator Jack Hill gave the commencement address and focused on the importance of a degree and its power to help raise students' fiscal possibilities. Hill challenged the graduates to “expect more” of themselves and their degree.
        “You are promoted, not for what you accomplish, but for what they expect you to accomplish,” said Hill.
    Also at the commencement, President Cartee awarded Representative Jan Tankersley with an honorary degree from Ogeechee for her contribution in the area of agricultural business.