ATC First Graduation after Semester Change

The first January graduation Ceremony for Albany Tech is indeed a special one.

Pamela Heglar, President of student affairs at ATC says, "Well we are very excited to have our first group of students graduating under the semester system."

The entire Georgia Technical College system switched from their quarterly classes to a semester long curriculum last year, and so far it's getting positive reviews.

Heglar says, "Students, faculty, and staff are all enjoying it very much, and it does give our students more time to focus on your studies."

More than 500 degrees, diplomas and certificates were handed out tonight.

Eugene Anderson experienced the transition and is pleased with the results

Anderson says, "Transitionally, it gave me more time to complete my work with my busy life."

And he is busy, Anderson is a full time employee of the Albany Fire Department. Emma Jackson is oldest person to go through the culinary arts program and greatly appreciates the switch.

Jackson says, "The quarterly system it is a short system, and it is a lot more that you probably want to do, but then you don't have the time to do it."

But this class not only dealt with term changes but a change in financial aid with cuts to the HOPE scholarship program.

Heglar says, "I think we are seeing somewhat of an impact fortunately it is a minimal impact, we have a approximately 380 students that did not meet that guideline."

But beyond the changes some graduates endured it all.

Jackson says, "This feels good, I have waited a long time to make this step."

And will continue on their road to enlightenment.

Anderson says, "If you stop getting education, you stop living. I plan on living a long time."

And its time that will tell if these changes will be positive as well.