May 19, 2021
WSB-TV’s Fred Blankenship served as the commencement’s keynote speaker.
[Atlanta, GA] Atlanta Technical College (ATC) held a virtual commencement for more than 1,700 graduates on May 15. With contemporary themes of excellence and perseverance, the graduation ceremony punctuates a year marked by impacts related to the Covid-19 crisis and the college’s unwavering commitment to training and preparing the region’s essential workforce in high-demand technical careers.
WSB-TV anchor Fred Blankenship served as the 2021 commencement keynote speaker and shared words of inspiration and encouragement for the graduating class. “We are living in a world that is craving technical leaders who can lead the way,” said award-winning journalist Blankenship who joined WSB-TV as its morning and noon anchor in 2007. “Today, your journey begins. Over the past few years, this institution has given you real skills and real knowledge. You have transformed your lives through the power of technical education. You are the key to our future. Be bold about it.”
Many of the graduating class was directly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, causing them to transition from in-person learning to a virtual class setting and eventually to a hybrid work environment. The global health crisis also ushered in financial impacts for many students and their families, creating additional hurdles for the 2021 graduates.
ATC’s president believes the challenges faced during the last year better prepares them for the road ahead. “Excellence is timeless and is not altered by current circumstances or global challenges. For a significant portion of our graduates’ time at ATC, they were faced with challenges. Still, they never wavered in the face of adversity,” said Dr. Victoria Seals, who is serving her fifth year at ATC’s helm. “The sheer resilience and determination that our graduating class has demonstrated speak to the very spirit of their diligence and tenacity that will propel each one of them to thrive as professionals, business owners, and leaders.”
Of the 1,700 graduates, nearly 600 are pursuing in-demand careers in technology. More than 500 are serving in essential roles in various healthcare fields. Approximately 400 are joining the workforce in careers that span construction and highly sought-after trade skills.
During the commencement ceremony, ATC’s Foundation Board Chair Bill Pinto spoke about the college’s impact on the great community. “The power of technical education is real, and the legacy of the college is firmly imprinted in metro Atlanta as one of excellence and positive transformation.”
To view ATC’s 2021 commencement exercises, click here.
