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ATC Spotlight
National PTA president touts lifelong learning, character, and technical competence to
graduates
Morethan300newlymintedAthensTechnicalCollegegraduatesgatheredwiththeirfamiliesandfriendsMay6attheClassicCenterin
Athenstocelebratetheiracademicmilestone.
DuringtheAthensTechnicalCollegegraduationceremony,312studentswhocompletedtheirdiplomasorassociateofappliedscience
degreesfromthecollegeproudlystrodeacrosstheClassicCenter’sGrandHallstagetoaccepttheirdiplomasfromcollegePresidentFlora
Tydings.
Followingthepresentationofdiplomas,PresidentTydingsofficiallyconferredtherightsandprivilegestothenewgraduates,who— as
traditiondictates— movedthetasselsoftheirgraduationcapsfromtherightsidetotheleft,signifyingtheirnewstatusascollegealumni.
Earlierintheprogram, OthaThornton,presidentofNationalPTA,theglobalvolunteerorganizationthatworkstoimprovechildren’s
education,safety,andhealth,deliveredthegraduationaddress.
Thornton,aretiredUnitedStatesArmylieutenantcolonelwhoworksasasenioroperationsanalystwithGeneralDynamicsinFort
Stewart,GA,wasinstalledasNationalPTApresidentin2013asthefirstAfrican­Americanmaletoholdthatpositionintheorganization’s
115­yearhistory.
Priortohismilitaryretirement,ThorntonspenthislasttwoassignmentswiththeWhiteHouseCommunicationsAgencyandwiththe
U.S.Forces­IraqinBaghdad.
Inhisaddressatthegraduationceremony,Thorntonemphasizedthatachievingsuccessinvolvesseveralfactors,includingmaintaining
familysupport,keepingGodfirst,developinganeducatedmind,andtreatingpeopleproperly.
Focusingoneducation,Thorntontoldthegraduatesthattheymustcontinueexpandingtheirmindsaswellastheiracademicand
technicaltraining.
“Educationdoesn’tstophereatgraduation,”hesaid.“Youmuststrivetobelifelonglearners.”
Heurgedtheaudiencetodevotethemselvestoreading,todevelopingtheircriticalthinkingskills,totravelingtootherplaces,andto
pursuingprofessionsaboutwhichtheyarepassionate.Healsotoldthemthatstrongcharacterandtechnicalcompetencecanbevery
empowering.
“I’moftenaskedhowIgotajobintheWhiteHouse,”Thorntonsaid.“Thosetwoqualities(characterandtechnicalcompetence)cantake
youanywhere.”
Photo caption: National PTA President Otha Thornton makes a point during his speech to the 2014 Athens Technical College graduates May 6.
Click here for more information.
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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Human Resources
Open Records Act
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],Becky Burton, Human Resources , Title VI, Title VII, Title IX Coordinator (Employees), Office K-514, [email protected], 706/583-2818, and
Dr. Leslie Crickenberger, Vice President of Student Affairs, 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=512
6/2/2014
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