ACTC Graduation is May 11

Ashland Community and Technical College will recognize a record number of 568 students at the Graduation Ceremony Saturday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m. in the Paramount Arts Center in downtown Ashland.

The students to be honored are August 2012 graduates, December 2012 graduates and May 2013 graduation candidates. Many have earned more than one degree, diploma or certificate, and more than 1650 credentials will be awarded.

Dr. Michael B. McCall, President and CEO of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, will preside over the Inauguration Ceremony of Dr. Kay Adkins, ACTCs President and CEO since last September. At ACTC, the Inauguration Ceremony is traditionally performed at the first graduation held after a new president takes office.

Dr. Akins will also give the Commencement Address. The Graduation Ceremony is free and open to the public.

Graduation Student Speaker

The Graduation Ceremony student speaker will be Cassandra A. Cantrell, an Ashland resident who is receiving an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice. She will transfer to Lindsey Wilson College in the fall to work on a Bachelors Degree in Human Services and Counseling. Her career goal is to work in addiction counseling.

The college faculty and staff in every department were always willing to help me with class work, test taking, financial aid or whatever help I needed to stay in class, Cantrell said.The Ready to Work program provided me with the most incredible opportunity to have employment, to have positive enforcement of my studies, and have help in college after being out of school for nearly 10 years.

Graduation Distinguished Service Award

A Distinguished Service Award will be presented to John W. Clark at the Graduation Ceremony in recognition of exemplary contributions as a friend of Ashland Community and Technical College.

Mr. Clark is the founder of John W. Clark Oil Company, Inc. He also founded Clarks Pump-N-Shop, Bulk Plants Inc., and Jamp;R Diesel, which are all family owned and operated. An Ashland native and Fairview High School graduate, he has served on the ACTC Board of Directors since 2011.