Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) will celebrate the achievements of its graduates with two Spring Commencement Ceremonies on Thursday, May 7, at the Forum River Center in Rome.

Students from GNTC’s nine-county service area will participate in the ceremonies, which are being split into two sessions to accommodate families and guests.

The first ceremony, scheduled for noon, will honor graduates from Business and Cyber-related programs as well as Nursing and Health Technology programs. The second ceremony, set for 4 p.m., will recognize graduates from Industrial and Public Service programs.

Mark Upton, program director and instructor of Marketing Management, will deliver the invocation during the noon ceremony. Donny Holmes, program director and instructor of Construction Management, will lead the invocation at the afternoon ceremony.

GNTC President Dr. Heidi Popham will welcome attendees at both events. Stuart Phillips, vice president of Student Affairs and Student Success, will introduce keynote speaker Noelia Sargento, a Rossville resident and GNTC’s 2026 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner. Sargento was also named the Technical College System of Georgia’s 2025 Adult Education Student of the Year.

Legare Price, associate vice president of Student Success, will recognize High Honor and Honor graduates and lead special recognitions for veterans, student organization members, and Dual Enrollment graduates.

Dr. Elizabeth Anderson, executive vice president and chief academic officer, will present the graduates, while Dr. Popham will officially confer degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The ceremonies will conclude with the GNTC Alumni Association Oath, administered by Susan Bowman, followed by closing remarks.

GNTC continues to serve northwest Georgia with a wide range of workforce education programs, impacting thousands of students annually through credit and noncredit offerings.