Spring Commencement 2024 - Friday May 3, 4:00 PM

e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e good afternoon on behalf of Chattanooga State Community College I am pleased to welcome you to this 2024 graduation ceremony if you are able and willing will you please rise for the processional [Music] oh [Music] oh [Music] [Music] a [Music] [Music] [Music] l [Music] [Music] oh [Music] [Music] l [Music] [Music] the [Music] oh [Music] oh [Music] [Music] la [Music] [Music] [Music] la [Music] [Music] oh [Music] [Music] oh [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] oh a [Music] [Music] a [Music] [Music] a [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] w h [Music] [Music] a [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] oh [Music] h [Music] [Music] a [Music] [Music] a [Music] [Music] [Music] all [Music] oh [Music] [Music] please be seated again welcome my name is Dr Amanda Bennett and I am happy to be serving as today's Master of Ceremonies for this graduation cele operation joining me on stage are Dr Rebecca Ashford president of Chattanooga State Community College Dr Beth Norton vice president of academic Affairs and Dr Martina Harris dean of Nursing and Allied [Applause] Health we are very glad that each graduate and each friend and family member has chosen to participate today there is so much to celebrate to set the tone of Celebration will you all join me in congratulating these members of the class of [Applause] 2024 thank you and I would now like to invite Dr Rebecca Ashford president of Chattanooga State to the podium to share some remarks thank [Applause] you well good afternoon and welcome to the graduation ceremony for the Chattanooga State Community College Class of [Applause] 2024 I'd like to share a few statistics about this year's graduates we have 854 students graduating this year with an average age of 26 this year's youngest graduate is just 15 years [Applause] old our oldest graduate this year is 61 years old pretty awesome [Applause] and I'm so impressed to share that 76 of our graduates are parents I don't know how they do it 31% are the very first in their families to graduate from college after today 46% will transfer on to University and 54% will go directly to a to into the workforce that's right we need them we need them in the workforce 25 of our students this this year are veterans of the United States armed forces and we thank them for their [Applause] service if we have any students who are veterans any graduates who are veterans in the room or any audience members who are veterans here today please stand so we can recognize you and thank you all right thank [Music] you members of this graduating class come from 10 countries outside of the United States they come from Algeria Cuba Honduras India South Korea Libya Mexico Peru Ukraine and the United Kingdom pretty awesome that's right that's [Applause] [Music] right graduates As you move on to the next phase of your lives I encourage you to approach each day with a sense of gratitude the great motivational speaker zigg Ziggler once said the greatest source of happiness is to to be grateful at all times you see we all have the ability to create our own happiness and it starts with gratitude along those lines I'd like to thank the many people who've helped our graduates get to where they are today helping our graduates along with the way are the amazing faculty and staff here at Chattanooga State who've taught their classes who've encouraged them motivated them challenged them met with them outside of class advise them and help them handle situations um that could have been stressful so if you are a faculty or staff member here at chattan Chattanooga State could you please stand so we can thank you for walking alongside our students thank you and none of our graduates would be here today with without the love and support of their family members and friends who stood behind them who encouraged them and helped them all along the way could all of our family members and friends and supporters of this year's graduates could you please stand and so we can recognize you this is your day too I'd like to share a story about two of the gradu of today's graduates and the importance of family Wendy and pear Rios are Daughters of parents who immigrated from the from Mexico to the United States in the year 2000 their parents had no high school education and they moved often in search of work growing up Wendy was like a mother to pea and their two other siblings Wendy always wanted to be a nurse and then in high school peara decided to also become a nurse they wanted to give back to their communities and most of all they wanted to make their parents proud Wendy and peara were accepted to the Chattanooga State nursing program and through their experience in the program they become even closer they become great friends and as they found unity and became closer their grades improved who knew today Wendy and pea will graduate graduate with their nursing degrees as the very first in their families to graduate from not only high school but College as well and I would imagine they have indeed made their parents proud Wendy and Pera would you please stand so we can recognize you thank you so much this year we celebrate your accomplishment of getting a valuable education that will lead to an amazing career you will have many opportunities in your lives and in your careers but I want to warn you these opportunities might not always come with pretty gold bows on them in the words of Thomas Edison opportunity is missed by most because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work you will have the opportunity yes the opportunity to work late to take on new projects and responsibilities and learn new skills I encourage you be grateful for these opportunities these are the opportunities that will lead to your success as you move on to the next phase of your life I encourage you to keep learning Henry Ford once said anyone who stops learning is old whether 20 or 80 anyone who keeps learning stays Young and the greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young graduates I challenge you to continue continuously move out of your comfort zones to learn new technologies new skills and new ways of thinking the jobs of today and tomorrow require us to constantly learn and grow in order to stay relevant but don't limit your learning to your job learn about the world learn a new language learn to paint learn to cook your mind is no different than your bicep or your quads if if you want it to grow you have to keep it working as you keep learning and growing your mind I hope you will not only seek knowledge but that you will strive for wisdom during your time at Chattanooga State you've Le acquired a lot of knowledge you've learned a lot of facts theories processes about multiple disciplines math biology anatomy and physiology psychology engineering computer science accounting nursing dental hygiene graphic design theater you get the idea today we award you with a degree that is a that is a physical representation of the knowledge you've gained at Chattanooga State so your challenge after today is to apply this knowledge with wisdom and wisdom is far different than knowledge wisdom cannot be taught it's the ability to to discern to apply knowledge in meaningful ways to navigate the complexities of Life while knowledge can be taught wisdom can only be gained through experience through reflection through learning from your mistakes and through recognizing that you don't have all the answers in the words of the legendary musician Jimmy Hendricks knowledge speaks but wisdom wisdom listens finally graduates remember that it's the little things that will make a difference in your life and that will change the world hold the door open for someone else say please and thank you if you make a mess clean it up all the mothers in the room said amen meet deadlines put away your cell phone and look people people in the eyes as Admiral William H mccraven advised in his graduation speech at the University of Texas make your bed he shared that in Navy SEAL training students must make their beds to Perfection every day in our own lives making your bed each day gives you a sense of accomplishment before the day even begins and if you have a bad day day at least you get to come home to a tidy bed make your bed how you do the little things in life is how you will do everything in life I am so incredibly grateful that you chose to pursue your education at Chattanooga State I hope your education has changed you I hope it's helped you to grow intellectually and personally and I hope it's and challenged you to think in new ways and learn new skills and I hope more than anything that your life is better because you were a student here at Chattanooga State and now I encourage you I challenge you to go out and make life better for others thank you thank you I'd like to invite Dr Beth Norton vice president of academic Affairs to the [Applause] podium thank you Dr Ashford will the candidates for degrees and certificates please rise president Ashford on behalf of the faculty I have the honor to present to you these members of the class of 2024 I recommend the candidates who have completed their requirements to receive their respective degrees and certificates upon the recommendation of the faculty of Chattanooga State Comm Community College and by the power vested in Me by the Tennessee Board of Regents I confer upon you the degrees and certificates which you have earned you may now move your tassels from the right to the left sides of your mortar boards ladies and gentlemen the Chattanooga State Community College Class of 2024 graduates you may be seated and you will come forward row by row at the Marshall's Direction Shonda Norine [Music] Roberts Deborah Marie bone [Music] cumlade Angelique Marie [Applause] Smith farima fahimi [Applause] kumlade Melissa Lee Curtis magnet [Music] [Applause] kumlade peara [Applause] Rios Wendy [Applause] Rios Jessica Lynn [Applause] Douglas Cara Lee Elizabeth bassan [Applause] Brianna Alexis Andrews [Music] [Applause] kumlade Tammy [Applause] trong Caleb Micah McRae Rodney Parker [Applause] Lindsay Nicole [Applause] Garner Alicia May coin kumlade Amber Elise [Applause] Murphy Alexandra Fay lepley [Applause] kumlade Shelby re hammondre Terell lesan Taylor Heather Kelly [Applause] holder Maria Lee [Applause] Smith Amber Marie Maguire [Applause] kanana Dian [Applause] clay that's my daughter Elvia Martinez Magna kumlade Jordan Lane [Applause] Hannah Lucero Morales sumacumlade Rachel Grace [Applause] Jones sabon Jade [Applause] doxy mon Hernandez sumacumlade [Applause] [Music] Abigail folz sumacumlade [Applause] Madison Lily McFarland viven Brin [Music] [Applause] Lively Hannah Leanne [Applause] Varner Timothy Alexander harelson Chassidy Shay [Music] [Applause] Baker Scarlet Elizabeth shell John [Applause] batty Caleb [Applause] stoval Abigail Grace Smith Magna kumlade Jasmine Karen [Applause] Lopez Cara Ashley Johnson kumlade Tara Elaine Kendall kumlade Olivia Nicole Kidwell [Applause] kindall Fay malanson Victoria ganna McKibbon Haley Elizabeth WS [Music] kumlade Blair Madison Jarvis [Music] danella Rodriguez sumacumlade Karen Safa Magna [Applause] kumlade India yavon [Applause] Lee Ali Cheyenne goens Magna kumlade Kendall Grace long Anna Grace [Applause] [Music] Jackson Aubrey Renee [Applause] madrin kelen may Morgan Magna kumlade [Applause] Bell Marie [Applause] Buffington Megan lri McDow Britney Gail [Applause] Cooper Elise Patricia Keller Kellan Louise grubs [Applause] Rachel Luchia Sanders [Music] [Applause] kumlade Savannah Keeley [Applause] [Music] hollenberger Sydney Marie Taylor Magna kumlade Savannah Marie Parker [Applause] Cameron Bailey brandham [Applause] kumlade Casey Elizabeth Sullivan Magna [Applause] kumlade Megan Kaylee long Magna [Applause] kumlade Jordan Leanne Lewis Magna kumlade [Applause] [Music] Cassie Leanne [Music] [Applause] Shipley Annie rain [Applause] Swanson Lila Jane Guffy Magna [Applause] kumlade tan Elizabeth Davis Magna kumlade Hannah Elizabeth Bryant kumlade Dallas Anna kleene [Music] kumlade Brandon stet sumacumlade [Applause] [Music] Colin Joseph Miller [Applause] Annabelle Marie Miller Magna [Music] [Applause] kumlade Christopher Jonathan koshen kumlade Jaden imber Lane [Music] [Applause] kumlade areses Lewis yanos [Applause] Devin Hickman F Dakota Bell Magna [Music] [Applause] kumlade Halo micaa [Music] [Applause] Armstrong McKenzie Lee wit [Applause] Tiana Alysa Velasquez Shelby Lee [Applause] Howard Alexis Victoria [Applause] Thomasson Maggie Leanne Swanson [Applause] Mary Joanne Stafford sumacumlade Mackenzie lenee Smith Magna Kum [Applause] L Rebecca Lindsay [Music] [Applause] Pierce Katherine Elizabeth [Applause] Penrose Alysa Jolie ederton [Applause] Tiffany Marie mot [Applause] kumlade Zoe Grace Brien [Applause] ball Angelica Marie Gomez sumacumlade [Applause] yanba Ariano [Applause] Taylor Alexis [Applause] Rogers Caitlyn Nicole Raper [Applause] [Music] kumlade Ashley Kate [Applause] moneyham Danny Low lazarino summum l Rebecca Elizabeth bowling sumacumlade [Applause] Mariah B Brown Magna [Music] kumlade Mary Ruth Brown Magna [Applause] kumlade Rebecca Benson [Applause] Natasha [Applause] Dixon Jordan Rose Philippi sumacumlade [Applause] Mariel Samantha Elise Adams Magna kumlade staa Leanne Powell [Applause] Ezra Jade [Applause] Henson Jade Alexandra Durham Magna [Applause] kumlade Ellie Lauren Hickman [Music] [Applause] kumlade Bianca Maria Row [Applause] [Music] kylin jaalle [Applause] Hampton Mariah Elizabeth [Applause] Dreer Abby Bell [Music] Winkles Ethan Salazar [Applause] Caitlyn Elizabeth [Applause] Dobbins Kia Faith [Applause] Billings Carrie Elizabeth Bettis sumacumlade [Applause] [Music] monserat Guerrero [Applause] Abigail [Applause] rean Sarah Blake era Smith Magna kumlade Ashlin Elizabeth comes [Applause] limle Tanya Renee eslinger [Applause] [Music] Genesis Bridget [Applause] black Briana Nicole [Music] Allen Sarah Elizabeth [Applause] Adams Natasha Elizabeth McDowell [Applause] Valerie [Applause] marcelis Jody Marie Emanuel [Applause] [Music] kumlade Alia [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Castile Caitlyn [Applause] gtis Molly Elizabeth [Applause] Terrell Emily Avalon Jewel Magnum [Applause] L Danielle Michaela [Applause] lley J Jessica Nicole [Applause] dakuras Haley Elizabeth [Applause] Billingsley Jordan Alexandra Scot Jessica Jesse Marie Hinman [Applause] Jada McKenzie [Applause] gimenez will you please join me and one more round of applause for the class of 2024 [Applause] all right this is a lively bunch thank you all so much for being here and I would like to share some requests before we dismiss this Gathering everyone graduates and guests please exit through the back doors back behind the screen graduates we will not be marching out so in a moment you'll be free to join your family and and your friends here in this room you're welcome to spend a few minutes in this room and take some pictures you're welcome to come up on the stage and take some pictures but I also want to invite you and your family and friends to a reception that we've put together for you all in the student center there's food and drink and a nice photo booth for you to take some pictures so at this time this concludes our ceremony and again congratulations graduates [Applause] [Applause] all for