05/02/23
Gadsden State to hold commencement exercises May 11
Gadsden, Ala. – The Spring Commencement Ceremony for Gadsden State Community College will be at 6 p.m. May 11 at Gadsden State Cherokee. The event will recognize students who completed requirements following the spring semester.
Featured speakers are Gadsden State students Wakeita Montgomery English, Vanessa Cochran and Anabel Dillingham.
Over a span of 24 years, English has wanted a degree from Gadsden State. She started her collegiate journey in 1998 and returned to the College in 2022. She will receive an Associate in Science at the graduation ceremony. The lifelong Anniston resident works as a tutor in biology, psychology and history for Student Support Services. A mother of three children, English also loves going to the gym, doing yard work and breeding fish. She is a member of Women With a Purpose, which provides mentors to abused women in need of emotional support. She plans to continue her education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she will pursue a degree in Child Psychiatry.
Cochran graduated from Shades Valley High School in 2004. After working for 14 years, she decided to return to college to pursue her dream of being a teacher. Cochran is a tutor with Student Support Services and is president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She plans to attend Jacksonville State and pursue a degree in Social Science Education. She is graduating with an Associate in Science and has a perfect 4.0 GPA. Cochran resides in Steele with her husband, Joshua, who is also a Gadsden State student, and their 5-year-old son.
Dillingham gained a love for travel and an understanding of true resilience after moving many times due to her father’s Army career. She has lived in Georgia, Germany and Alaska, to name a few, before settling in Cedar Bluff. Dillingham loves spending time with her family and friends. She is graduating with an Associate in Science degree. She will attend Auburn University in the Fall to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and Culinary Science with a minor in Business. She is graduating with a 4.0 GPA.
Graduates will be presented by Dr. Tera Simmons, vice president, and Dr. Joey Battles, dean of Health Sciences. Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State, will award the degrees. Jeff Machen, science instructor on the East Broad Campus, will serve as the commencement grand marshal.