Students from across northwest Georgia will celebrate the completion of their academic programs this week as Georgia Northwestern Technical College prepares to host its 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremonies on Thursday, May 7.
The ceremonies will take place at the Forum River Center in Rome and will honor graduates representing GNTC’s nine-county service area. College officials said two separate ceremonies will be held to accommodate graduates along with their family members and friends.
The first ceremony, scheduled for noon, will recognize students completing programs in Business and Cyber related technologies along with Nursing and Health Technology fields. The second ceremony, beginning at 4 p.m., will honor graduates in Industrial and Public Service programs.
At the noon ceremony, Mark Upton, program director and instructor of Marketing Management, will deliver the invocation. Donny Holmes, program director and instructor of Construction Management, will lead the invocation during the afternoon ceremony.
Heidi Popham, president of GNTC, will welcome guests during both ceremonies. Stuart Phillips, vice president of Student Affairs and Student Success, will introduce keynote speaker Noelia Sargento of Rossville.
Sargento, GNTC’s 2026 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner, was also named the Technical College System of Georgia’s 2025 Adult Education Student of the Year for the State of Georgia.
Legare Price, associate vice president of Student Success, will recognize High Honor and Honor graduates during the ceremonies. Additional recognition will be given to veterans, FBLA Collegiate members, National Technical Honor Society members, SkillsUSA members, Student Government Association members and Dual Enrollment graduates.
Elizabeth Anderson, executive vice president and chief academic officer, will present the graduates before Dr. Popham officially confers associate degrees, diplomas and certificates.
The ceremonies will conclude with the GNTC Alumni Association Oath, administered by Susan Bowman, program director, assistant dean and instructor of Health Information Management Technology, followed by closing remarks from Dr. Anderson.