Albany Technical College graduation commencement celebrating the accomplishments of graduates for Spring 2024 will occur at two different times: Friday, May 3, at 11:00 AM and 2 PM at the Albany State University's West Campus Arena on Gillionville Road in Albany. Candidates for Technical Certificates of Credit, Diplomas, Associate Degrees, and High School Equivalencies will be recognized for their accomplishments. This notification is an official invitation to the graduates, families, friends, and community. View the Spring 2024 Graduation Commencement of Albany Technical College live on Albany Tech's YouTube Channel and later Mediacom Channel 19 (ASU TV).

The 11:00 AM graduation ceremony will include the following groups: Adult Education program, Business programs, Career Plus High School Equivalency, Dual Achievement programs, and Healthcare programs.

The 2:00 PM graduation ceremony will include the following groups: Construction programs, Engineering programs, Electronics programs, Information Technology programs, Logistics programs, Manufacturing programs, Operations programs, Professional Services programs, Public Safety programs, and Transportation programs. 

The Spring 2024 ATC (Albany Technical College) commencement is scheduled to be rebroadcast as noted below:

Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, Mediacom Channel 19, ASU TV at 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM

Thursday, May 9th, 2024, Mediacom Channel 19, ASU TV at 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM

WASU-FM 92.7 radio station: Thursday, May 9th @ 12 noon and Saturday, May 11th @ 11 AM 2024. (Keynote speaker only)

Graduates picked up caps and gowns at GradFest in April and had an opportunity to purchase class rings. "We are excited to announce that ATC has a total graduating class of 637 students with an overall sum of awards totaling 884 for the Spring 2023 commencement. This includes Technical Certificate of Credit, Diploma, and/or Associate Degrees," stated Kennosha Hawkins, Albany Technical College Registrar.

Dr. Emmett Griswold, President of Albany Technical College, expressed, "Celebrating our students' success is a cornerstone of our mission at Albany Technical College. Their hard work and steadfast commitment have culminated in this significant achievement, signaling the start of a journey toward fulfilling their dreams. With top-tier education as their foundation, our graduates are equipped to contribute positively and significantly to our community."

The Keynote speaker for the ceremony is Dr. Theodus Drake, Jr., the senior pastor of the Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia.

Theodus Drake Jr. was born in a family of fourteen children in Worth County, Georgia, to the late Theodus and Sarah Drake. He is married to the former Miss Carrie Miller. They have one daughter, Stephanie, and two grandchildren, Kennedy and Drake. 

He grew up in a Christian home where several of his siblings have served as pastors and ministers in Georgia.

He attended public schools in Worth and Dougherty Counties and the Albany Vocational Technical Institute, receiving a degree in Electrical Construction. 

In 1969, he was employed at Bell South Telecommunications, where he retired in 1997 as a Specialist. 

Dr. Drake received his Master's and Doctorate degrees in Pastoral Counseling and Ministry from Bethany Theological Seminary of Dothan, Alabama. 

In 1984, he began serving as pastor of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. He has also served as pastor of the Zion Hill Baptist Church and the Cherry Hill Baptist Church of Terrell County, the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church of Lee County, and the Union Baptist Church of Camilla, Georgia. 

Pastor Drake has also served in several civic and religious organizations, including President of the Albany Ministerial Conference, Moderator of the Bethesda Association, and Planner and Facilitator for the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia Ministers Training Conference. He has also served as Planner and Facilitator for The Fellowship Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia Ministers Training Conference.

Dr. Drake is the co-founder of the Albany Coalition of Churches, Inc. This faith-based organization was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to respond to the adverse impact of the disease in Dougherty and surrounding counties.

ATC Graduation Statistics
Total graduates for Spring 2024 2023 commencement – 637
Total awards to the graduates – 884 (TCC, Diploma and Degree) 
GED/High School Equivalency graduates – 34 
With Honors – 4
Career Plus HSE graduates- 1
Dual Achievement Graduates-21
Honors with Distinction (GPA 3.75-3.94) –12 (unduplicated)  
Presidential Scholars (3.95-4.0) – 9 (unduplicated)  
Dual Enrollment Total – 171 

PHOTO ATTACHED: Dr. Theodus Drake, Jr., the senior pastor of the Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia.