South Georgia Technical College hosts Fall 2025 commencement ceremony
Nearly 300 individuals earned the right to be recognized at the South Georgia Technical College’s Fall 2025 commencement ceremony Thursday, December 11, at 6 p.m. in the James S. Peters gymnasium with an overflow crowd that extended into the John M. Pope Center. This was SGTC’s second graduation ceremony for 2025. Approximately 200 individuals received awards at the Spring graduation.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford (left) is shown above presenting Donald Ray McCook with the Associate of Applied Science degree in Technical Studies.
Mary Cross, Marketing Instructor and SGTC’s 2025 Instructor of the Year, was the featured speaker at the ceremony. SGTC President Dr. John Watford and Vice President for Academic Affairs Julie Partain presided over the graduation ceremony. Academic Deans Dr. David Finley and Brett Murray called each graduate’s name and program of study. Rev. Michael Coley of the SGTC Board of Directors gave the Invocation and Jamie Penoncello, Vice Chair of the SGTC Board of Directors, introduced the keynote speaker.
The SGTC gymnasium was full for the Fall 2025 graduation ceremony.
Eighty-two students earned an Associate of Applied Science degree while another 142 were recognized for earning a diploma in their field of study and sixty-nine students earned a technical certificate of credit in practical nursing, cosmetology, and barbering. Twenty-three students qualified as a Presidential honor graduate which requires an overall grade point average of 3.9 or higher and another 11 were spotlighted as an honor graduate with a grade point average of 3.70 to 3.89.
In her brief talk to graduates and their family members, Mary Cross congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments and said “today, we stand in a moment that glows with pride, gratitude, and triumph. This is not just a ceremony, it’s a celebration of hard work, sacrifice, and dreams realized. Look around this room: every face here tells a story of determination, late nights, resilience, and hope.
“On behalf of the faculty and staff, we are so proud of you. We’ve seen your effort, your perseverance, your growth and we’ve been inspired by it. You remind us why we teach, why we mentor, and why we believe in the power of education. Today, we applaud you not only for earning your credential, diploma, or degree, but for becoming the kind of people who make a difference wherever they go.”
She encouraged graduates and others in the audience to “stand tall, celebrate your success, honor your journey and never forget that this moment – is only the beginning. Your time is now – go out and shine!”
The SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Presidential Honor graduates and their respective fields of study included: Automotive Technology (Diploma) Logan Youngblood of Alamo; Aviation Maintenance Technology and Technical Studies (Diploma and AAS degree) Daniel Scott Caldwell of Sharpsburg; Business Technology (AAS) Makayla McCants of Oglethorpe, and Amber Sunshine Rexroat of Vienna; Business Technology (AAS and Diploma) Maurice Lashaun Williams, II of Americus; Business Technology (Diploma) Gwenevere Adams of Leesburg; Criminal Justice Technology (AAS and Diploma) Ernest Matthew Faulk of Leesburg; Jessica Nicole Fudge of Vienna; Jeffery Todd Gordy of Buena Vista; and Jaelyn Ashley Wynn of Ellaville; Criminal Justice Technology (Diploma) Gregory Crapp of Cordele; Culinary Arts (AAS and Diploma) Brianna Grace Mauldin of Sycamore; Cybersecurity and Networking Specialist (AAS and Diploma)Luis Jordan Sosa of Americus; Diesel Equipment Technology and Technical Studies (AAS and Diploma) Robert Portz of Leesburg; Drafting Technology (AAS and Diploma) Henry Johnson of Buena Vista and Maurice Lashaun Williams, II of Americus; Early Childhood Care and Education (AAS and Diploma) Chante Monique Holmes of Lithonia; Electrical Construction Technology and Electrical Systems Technology (Diploma) Christian Hernandez of Montezuma; Marketing Management (AAS and iploma) Ariel Destiny Hudson of Knoxville and Timia Janae Mitchell of Americus; Precision Machining and Manufacturing (Diploma) Ayden Cross Niette of Butler; and Welding and Joining Technology and Technical Studies (AAS and Diploma) Jeremy Mauricio Gonzalez of Vienna; and Robert Cooper Nesselrotte of Buena Vista.
SGTC students who earned the distinction of graduating as Honor graduates (3.70 – 3.89 GPA) and their respective fields of study included: Auto Collison Repair (Diploma) Dominique Jordan Dillard of Bainbridge; Business Technology (AAS and Diploma) Kaylee Samantha Holmes of Arabai; Cosmetology for Licensure (Technical Certificate of Credit) MaryAnn Medlock Reiselbara of Plains; Criminal Justice Technology (AAS and Diploma), LaShonda Owens Hill of Montezuma; Morgan A’dexcia Tyson of Americus; and Cheyenne Woodard of Smithville; Early Childhood Care and Education (AAS and Diploma), Kimberly L. Craft of Vienna; Electrical Construction Technology and Electrical Systems Technology and Technical Studies (AAS and Diploma) Nicholas Wayne Lanneau of Cordele; Electrical Construction Technology and Electrical Systems Technology (Diploma) Cesar Vasquez of Anderson; Medical Assisting (Diploma) Katerin Johana Auceda Torres of Americus; and Technical Studies (AAS) Cole Robert White of Leesburg.
The 82 students who earned Associate of Applied Science degrees in the different program areas included: Business Technology, Laquasha L. Battle of Montezuma, Andrew James Cranford of Vienna, Brianna Shantel Davis of Albany, Miraya Alexiz Espinoza of Americus, Adrian Ny’Kia Gaston of Cordele, Kaylee Samantha Holmes of Arabi, Jaquawn Landers of Americus, Makayla McCants of Oglethorpe, Maggie Mitchell of Americus, Debra Ann Monts of Americus, Amber Sunshine Rexroat of Vienna, Keturah Taniya Roberson of Eastman, Tammie Spivey of Cordele, and Maurice Lashaun Williams, II, of Americus; Computer Support Specialist, Kedrix Hall of Americus, and Timothy Jamaal Solomon of Oglethorpe; Criminal Justice Technology, Timothy Allen of Americus, Jirah Keyae Brooks of Americus, Layla Gabrielle Brown of Cordele, Lynette Shawnte’ Davis of Desoto, Ernest Matthew Faulk of Leesburg, Jessica Nicole Fudge of Vienna, Jeffery Todd Gordy of Buena Vista, Melissa Grantham of Ellaville, LaShonda Owens Hill of Montezuma, Shantrel Latrice Jackson of Americus, Antanzsha Robinson of Vienna, Dawana Lacretia Savage of Cordele, Jakell Lawuane Smith of Montezuma, Willette Smith of Americus, Morgan A’dexcia Tyson of Americus, Cheyenne Woodard of Smithville, Jaelyn Ashley Wynn of Ellaville and M’Kyree Sentavious Zanders of Americus; Culinary Arts, Robert Earl Larson of Butler, Brianna Grace Mauldin of Sycamore, and Shaniya Latrice Wright of Americus; Cybersecurity, Luis Jordan Sosa of Americus; Drafting Technology, Henry Johnson of Buena Vista, and Kylie Leighann Underwood of Woodbury; Early Childhood Care & Education, April D. Brown of Richland, Elbony Vontrecia Carter of Cordele, Kimberly L. Craft of Vienna, Crystal Gail Denmark of Americus, Lashay Monique Dowdell of Americus, Alexandra Shampaine Ford of Cordele, Chante Monique Holmes of Lithonia , Latressa Denise Lewis Lassiter of Plains, Marcia Walker of DeSoto, and Mary Lyles Willis of Americus; Electronics Technology, Lance Charles Cornell of Andersonville; Horticulture, Keinosia Brown of Sumner; and Ziara Dantrice Greene of Buena Vista; Marketing Management, Chanda S. Deriso of Albany, Zy’Kerria Denise Dowdell of Americus, Ariel Hudson of Knoxville, and Timia Janae Mitchell of Americus; Networking Specialist, Jahaven Lamary Carter of Americus, Richard Scott Ergle of Cordele, Richard Asher Hawkins of Americus, Ke’Torrian Ty’Keyveious Reddick of Americus, and Luis Jordan Sosa of Americus; Sports and Fitness Management, Robert C. Golden of Buena Vista, Hayda Guevara-Toro of Buford, and Donovan Makhi Ward of Brunswick; and Technical Studies, David R. Battle, Jr., of Americus, Janeisha Brown of Americus, Daniel Scott Caldwell of Sharpsburg, David Eugene Cox of Ellaville, Devin Dexter of Cordele, Jeremy Mauricio Gonzalex of Vienna, Nicholas Wayne Lanneau of Cordele, Donald Ray McCook of Americus, Marcus Kelly McDougle of Fitzgerald, Destiny Kalayah Mitchell of Fitzgerald, Robert Cooper Nesselrotte of Buena Vista, Audrey Pavik of Columbus, Robert Portz of Leesburg, Patricia Joan Rice of Americus, Jack Mark Rowland of Preston, Anna Marie Saint of Americus, and Cole Robert White of Leesburg.
One hundred and forty-two students earned diplomas and those students and their programs of study included: Air Conditioning Technology, Destiny Kierra Symone Walker; Aircraft Structural Technology, Dontavious Collier, Destrevious Tayshaun Davis, Mikerria Sanai Hardrick, Dontrell Marquis Hudson, Zy’Quez Demontae Larry, Maurice Jerome Mathis, Jr., and Damarion Carnell Williams; Auto Collision Repair, Dominique Jordan Dillard; Automotive Technology, Jalen Tamicah Brown, Devin Dexter, Justyn Cameron Felch, Brandon Cordeau Ford, Etha Judson Harbuck, Jalen Johnson, Ann Elise Little, Jayln Darrell Thomas, Ayden William Leavughn White, and Logan Youngblood; Aviation Maintenance Technology, Dallas Michael Armour, Daniel Scott Caldwell, Audrey Pavik, Patricia Joan Rice, and Jeffery Stewart; Business Technology, Gwenevere Adams, Honnette Carlene Cobb, Ambria Tianna Daniels, Brianna Shantel Davis, Miraya Alexiz Espinoza, Kaylee Samantha Holmes, Anthony Latuan Jenkins, Jaquawn Landers, Shaquindor Denise McCants, Ketura Taniya Roberson, and Maurice Lashaun Williams, II; Computer Support Specialist, Kenneth Cortner Bennett, Ellusion combs, Victor Bernard Davis, Kendrix Hall, Marcus Octavia Pugh, and Timothy Jamaal Solomon; Criminal Justice Technology, Timonty Allen, Layla Gabrielle Brown, Gregory Crapp, Ernest Matthew Faulk, Jessica Nicole Fudge, Jeffery Todd Gordy, LaShonda Owens Hill, Shantrel Latrice Jackson, Adasia Lee, Dawana Lacretia Savage, Jakell Laquane Smith, Willette Smith, Morgan A’dexcia Tyson, Jaelyn Ashley Wynn, M’Kyree Sentavious Zanders; Culinary Arts, Robert Earl Lawson, Brianna Grace Mauldin, an Krun Phelps; Cybersecurity, Ellusion combs and Luis Jordan Sosa; Diesel Equipment Technology, Henry Johnson and Kylie Leighann Underwood; Early Childhood Care and Education, Ashley Nicole Berry, Jadon Boatwright, Charlesia Brown, Kimberly L. Craft, Crystal Gail Denmark, Laquisha Monic Dodson, Lashay Monique Dowdell, Tylerriah Graddic, Doris Ann Harris, Demaria Henderson, Chante Monique Holmes, Latrida Denise Lewis, Latressa Denise Lewis Lassiter, Dataja Zariah Reynolds, and Marcia Walker; Electrical Construction Technology, Juan Francisco Aleja Chavez, Adrian Demtrius arner, Demarcus Bell, Jr., Logan Christopher Boyd, Tony James Dosson Cannon, Antonio Thomas Darden, Christian Hernandez, Nicholas Wayne Lanneau, Donald Harold Rountree, Barry Lee Talley, III, Cesar Vasquez, and James Jeremiah Williams; Electrical Systems Technology, Juan Francisco Alejo Chavez, Adrian Demtrius Barner, Demarcus Bell, Jr;, Logan Christopher Boyd, tony James Dosson Cannon, Antonio Thomas Darden, Christian Hernandez, Nicholas Wayne Lanneau, Donald Harold Rountee, Barry Lee Talley, III, Cesar Vasquez, and James Jeremiah Williams; Electronics Technology, Lance Charles Cornell, Horticulture, Keinosia Brown an Ziara Dantrice Greene, Marketing Management, Chanda S. Deriso, Zy’Kerria Denise Dowdell, Ariel Hudson, and Timia Janae Mitchell, Medical Assisting, Agyalea Markia Armond, Katerin Johana Auceda Torres, Holly Coleman, Regina Kay Hayslip, Kennesha Jones, Sommer Nicole Leary, Vontressa Shaneidra Mapp, Taryeona Perry, Gracen Meredith Vonier, and Alandria Shantell;
Networking Specialist, Jahaven Lamary Carter, Richard Scott Ergle, Jasmyne La’Precious Hamrick, Richard Ashe Hawkins, Ke’Torrian ty’Keyveious Reddick and Luis Jordan Sosa;
Precision Machining and Manufacturing, Ayden Cross Niette; Sports and Fitness Management, Robert C. Golden, Hayda Guevara-Toro, and Donovan Makhi Ward; and Welding and Joining Technology, Alex Bueno Fortuna, Timothy Justin Cadenhead, Bailey Andrew Coker, Jeremy Mauricio Gonzalez, Miles Jacobs, Matthew Lucas Murphy, Robert Cooper Nesselrotte, and LeBaron Maurice Damien Wright.
In addition to the associate degree and diploma programs, four technical certificate of credit programs were also spotlighted at graduation. The Cosmetology for Licensure, Mary Matieal Aycock, Cristyona Alaya Battle, Courtney Brooke Catrett, Samantha Leann Cranford, Ashley Felton, Olivia Kaylee Gill, Kanaya Janae Johnson, Quintesa Teara Jones, Emily Michelle Monts, Ashleigh Kiana Myrick, MaryAnn Medlock Reiselbara, Terrencia ShaCore Roberts, Bernisha Elizabeth MaTayla Sims, Kre’Shena Lenora Smith, Serenity Khadijah Smith, and Cheyenne Kasey Wiggins; Cosmetology Instructor, Janeisha Brown; Master Barber, Markell Keshawn Akine, Corinthian Baisden, Demarkis Javo Clark, Phillip Hunt, Jakavian Lestacey Moore, Martravius Isaiah O’Neal, Tadreuna S. Rogers, Anthony Khalil Smith, JaMariana Kar’daya Smith, and Kendra L. Wynn;
and Practical Nursing, Dai’sha Noel Alston, Nina Battle, Kaila Elaina Burton, Fabriana Coleman, Kyra Alise Davis, Asia Dawson, Kiasia Nardae’ Ford, Tamaya Jameese Fullwood, Cecilia Griff, Breanna Guinn, Tamiya Hall, Kennetra Harris, NaKerria Shuntae Hinton, Julia Rose Hogg, Deziray Alexis Horn, Laketta Datrise Jackson, Jenacia Nicole Jennings, Alicia Ann Jones Royal, Kiauna Jones, Aumadia Shy’Andra Lewis, Tionne Latrese Martin, Chelsea Morgan Motos, Kamryn Ann Nation, Riliyah Analicia Odoms, Ayesha K. Owens, Porsha Owens, Halle Peacock, Yasmine Ra’Kael Protho, Dakedra Rasberry, Ashley Nichole Rhodes, Dana Rogers, Lily Elizabeth Shepard, Nadine Shirley, Delisa Slappey, J’Tyia J’Nya Smith, Beverly Lynn Stewart, Johnny Walker, Jr., Keltsy Ann Watts, Brittany Wills, Kahdajah Wilson, Destiny Wise, Jayden Reign Yarbrough, and Valarie Denise Young.
Photos from the graduation ceremony can be found on the South Georgia Technical College website: www.southgatech.edu in the photo gallery section and on the college’s Facebook page.