May 3, 2024
Gainesville, GA—Lanier Technical College held its 58th Annual Commencement Ceremony on
May 3, 2024. Following another record-breaking academic year of enrollment, 384 graduates
walked through the College’s Hall Campus Quad to receive their certificate, diploma, or degree
from Lanier Technical College President, Tim McDonald. College Leadership, Board Members,
Community Leaders, Academic Deans, Instructors, and Staff were all on site to extend their
congratulations to the graduates.
In his address, President, Tim McDonald encapsulated the essence of this commencement
exercise,
“Today’s commencement ceremony is not just a celebration of your academic achievement, but
a testament to your unique journey and story. Your stories are about personal triumph,
spiritual growth, and professional development. I urge you to share your experiences, as they
can inspire others to discover their purpose and pursue their career aspirations. Regardless of
the challenges on your path to commencement, we celebrate your achievements today and
welcome you to the Lanier Technical College alumni family.”
The heartfelt emotions of this commencement ceremony are more vital than ever for graduates
such as Construction Management Graduate Ricardo Castro, who embodies a story shared by
many in the Class of 2024. Castro was tasked to overcome challenges in his life to attend college.
Challenges such as working full-time to support a family while attending classes and being the
first in his family to graduate from college made the feeling of commencement ever-special. Like
many others, his determination made career placement a smooth transition, as he is now
employed in his career field even before graduating.
Heartwarming stories of triumph over tribulation, like that of Anna Lee Weber, a cosmetology
graduate who overcame cancer as a young child, serve as a beacon of inspiration. Her unwavering
dedication to her studies has paved the way for a fulfilling career as a cosmetologist, where she
will continue spreading beauty and joy. These stories, which embody the spirit of Lanier
Technical College’s tagline, “Great Careers Begin Here!” are a testament to the resilience and
determination of our graduates.
Below are the record-breaking numbers acquired by the Lanier Technical College Class of 2024:
Total number of graduates: 1494
Average program GPA: 3.45
Class of 2024 age range: 15-73
Class of 2024 was part of an all-time enrollment record of 6,144 students set during the fall of 2023,
which became the largest annual enrollment record of over 8,400 students.
About the Technical College System of Georgia
The 22 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. TCSG offers world-class training in more than 600 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs to students who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in their fields. The system also houses Georgia’s Office of Adult Education, which promotes and provides adult literacy and education programs, including the GED® testing program, throughout the state. In addition, TCSG partners with companies through Quick Start, the nation’s top customized workforce training program, and through its colleges, which work with local industry to provide workforce and training solutions. For more information, visit TCSG.edu.
