Published: April 29, 2009 03:07 pm      

Dalton State College announces graduation on Friday, May 8

Dalton State College’s 41st annual graduation ceremony will take place on Friday, May 8, at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center. The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. and will feature a graduating senior, Daniel Byers, as the commencement speaker.

More than 550 students are expected to graduate this spring from Dalton State’s bachelor’s, associate and certificate programs; about half of that number is expected to participate in the ceremony.

“We are delighted to have Daniel Byers deliver the commencement address this year,” said John Schwenn, president of Dalton State. “The college began the tradition of having a graduating senior as the commencement speaker several years ago, and it has proven to be very popular with the students, their families, and the guests who attend.”

Byers, a native of Northwest Georgia, will earn a bachelor of business administration in management degree. A non-traditional student, Byers has worked for Reebok International Ltd., Old Navy and Samsonite while attending college, and he has received tuition support as a benefit of his employment with Reebok.

“My experience at Dalton State has been more than ordinary,” says Byers. “It has been extraordinary. No other college could have, nor would have, challenged me as Dalton State has.”

Byers says that as a non-traditional student, he has taken classes part time while working full time during the greater part of his college career.

“Having to constantly bend my class schedule around my work schedule has always been difficult,” he said. “It was yet another challenge I had to overcome. But with the challenges, opportunities have arisen, allowing for chances to learn and grow. Without challenges, we would not be as well prepared for what tomorrow may bring.”

The class of 2009 will include Dalton State’s first eight students to earn the bachelor of business administration in accounting degree.

For more information about graduation events, please call (706) 272-4436.