Atlanta Technical College (ATC) held an online commencement ceremony for more than its 1,700 graduates on May 15. The ceremony highlights ATC's commitment to preparing the workforce needed for high-demand technical careers in Atlanta, along with the acknowledgment of the year-long impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The college's recent graduates are pursuing careers in technology, healthcare, and other essential trades. The ceremony would be a particularly special memory for the graduates, as the pandemic forced them to adapt to virtual classes, regardless of their field of study, and brought financial difficulties for some of their families.
Acting as a keynote speaker at the ceremony, WSB-TV anchor Fred Blankenship said: “We are living in a world that is craving technical leaders who can lead the way... Over the past few years, this institution has given you real skills and real knowledge. You have transformed your lives through the power of technical education. You are the key to our future. Be bold about it.”
“The sheer resilience and determination that our graduating class has demonstrated speak to the very spirit of their diligence and tenacity that will propel each one of them to thrive as professionals, business owners, and leaders,” ATC's president, Dr. Victoria Seals, said in her speech.
ATC’s Foundation Board Chair Bill Pinto also cited the college’s impact on the community: “The power of technical education is real, and the legacy of the college is firmly imprinted in metro Atlanta as one of excellence and positive transformation.”