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ATC Spotlight
National PTA president to deliver 2014 ATC graduation speech
ArmyveteranOthaThornton,presidentofNationalPTA,theglobalvolunteerorganizationthatworkstoimprove
children’seducation,safety,andhealth,willspeakattheAthensTechnicalCollege2014graduationceremonyMay6.
ThorntonwasinstalledasNationalPTApresidentin2013asthefirstAfrican­Americanmaletoholdthatpositionin
theorganization’s115­yearhistory. Previously,heservedonNationalPTA'sboardofdirectors,legislativecommittee,
membershipcommittee,andexecutivesearchcommittee.
HeisaretiredUnitedStatesArmylieutenantcolonelwhonowworksasasenioroperationsanalystwithGeneral
DynamicsinFortStewart,GA.Priortohismilitaryretirement,ThorntonspenthislasttwoassignmentswiththeWhite
HouseCommunicationsAgencyandwiththeU.S.Forces­IraqinBaghdad.HeearnedtheBronzeStarMedalfor
exceptionalperformanceincombatoperationsduringOperationIraqiFreedom2009­2010.
TheNationalPTAexecutive’smilitarybackgroundallowedhimtovolunteerthroughoutthecountryandtheworldat
variouslocalandcouncillevelsofNationalPTA.Thorntonservedaspresident(andearlierasvicepresident)ofMeade
SeniorHighSchoolPTSAatFortMeade,Maryland.HealsohasbeenavolunteeratKaiserslauternAmericanElementary
andMiddleSchoolPTAs,DepartmentofDefenseEducationActivity,VogelwehAirForceBase,Kaiserslautern,Germany;
SouthRangeElementarySchool,SouthRange,Michigan;HoughtonElementaryandMiddleSchools,Houghton,Michigan;
FernandezElementarySchoolPTAevents,SanAntonio,Texas;andRichmondHillElementarySchoolevents,Richmond
Hill,Georgia.
ThorntonservedMarylandPTAasnominatingleader,boarddevelopmentcommitteechairman,andasamemberof
AnneArundelCounty’sSuperintendentHighPerformingHighSchoolTaskForce.Inaddition,hewasappointedbythe
governorofMarylandtoserveonaMarylandEducationTaskForce.
DuringhistimewithGeorgiaPTA,Thorntonservedontheboardofdirectorsaslegislativechairandasanadvisory
groupmemberforGeorgia'sPartnershipforExcellenceinEducation.
Thorntonalsoisactiveinthecommunity.HeisamemberofRichmondHillChurchofChristandAlphaPhiAlpha
FraternityIncorporated.HeisalifememberoftheNationalEagleScoutAssociationandhasmorethan25yearsofactive
serviceinthescoutingprogramacrosstheUnitedStatesandaroundtheworld.
Heearnedhisbachelor’sdegreeinurbanstudiesfromMorehouseCollegeandamaster’sdegreeincommunications
fromMichiganTechnologicalUniversity.HewasawardedanhonorarydoctoratedegreefromMichiganTechnological
Universityin2009.Heandhiswife,CarynThornton,aneducator,havebeenmarriedfor24years,andtheyresidein
RichmondHill.Theyhaveadaughterandason.
TheAthensTechnicalCollegecommencementexerciseswilltakeplaceat10a.m.,Tuesday,May6,attheClassic
Center,300N.ThomasSt.indowntownAthens.
http://www.athenstech.edu/Spotlight.cfm?i=508
4/22/2014
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Don Nelson
706 355-5011
Athens Technical College * 800 US Hwy 29 North * Athens, Ga * 30601 * 706-355-5000 * A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia
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As set forth in its student catalog, Athens Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation
or belief, genetic information, veteran status, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). The following individuals have been designated to
coordinate the college's implementation of nondiscrimination policies: Keli Fewox, Director of Student Support, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator, Office H748, 706/355-5081, [email protected] and Dr. Leslie Crickenberger, Vice President of Student Affairs and Human Resources , Title VI, Title VII, Title IX Coordinator (Employees), Title
IX Coordinator(Students) Office H-774, 706/355-5029, [email protected], 800 U.S. Highway 29 North, Athens, GA 30601.
http://www.athenstech.edu/Spotlight.cfm?i=508
4/22/2014
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