Trident Tech to celebrate 60th commencement ceremony this Friday
Trident Technical College will hold its 60th commencement ceremony Friday, May 3, at 3 p.m., at the North Charleston Coliseum. The event is open to the public. The ceremony also will be streamed live on the college’s Facebook page and on the college’s graduation ceremony page.
The college holds one graduation ceremony a year. Students who completed their program of study in summer semester 2023, fall semester 2023 or spring semester 2024 are eligible to participate in the ceremony. This will be the last ceremony presided over by TTC President Mary Thornley, who is retiring June 30 after more than 50 years at the college. Thornley came to Trident Tech as an adjunct instructor in 1973 and became president in 1991.
Several years ago, the college began a tradition of having its graduates provide the commencement speeches instead of inviting guest speakers. Student organization leaders select the speakers through an audition process. This year’s student reflection speakers are TV and Media Production student LaKendra Rivers and Human Resources student Terri Alexander. Rivers is a mother and Army veteran who lived through the ups and downs of marriage and divorce and caregiving for her elderly grandparents, all while battling anxiety, depression and PTSD. Although she questioned her decision to return to college for many months, she persevered in her goal to provide a better life for her son by earning a college degree. Alexander began her academic career at Trident Tech in 2020 at the age of 52 after having been out of school since 1986. She struggled academically at first, but when her daughter, Chelsea, began TTC’s Nursing program in 2021, Alexander used her daughter’s resilience and courage as motivation to continue and succeed on her path to earning a degree. Both Alexander and her daughter will participate in Friday’s ceremony.
The college interviewed several upcoming graduates for a series of Class of 2024 videos. The first video profile was shared on April 29. Additional videos will be shared on the college’s social media each day leading up to graduation and for several days after the graduation ceremony.
