Manatee Technical College 2016 graduation

(Bradenton, FL—June 27, 2016)   Manatee Technical College held its main graduation ceremony for the year on June 27, 2016, in Cantrell Hall.  Close to 200 students walked across the stage, although 599 graduated from the career certificate programs this year.  MTC held smaller ceremonies throughout the year.

In opening remarks, Board of Governors chair John Ziemnicki congratulated the 24 SkillsUSA national medalists who just returned and MTC for having 708 SkillsUSA National Champions since 1992.

Heather Eischer, an administrative office specialist graduate, gave an inspirational speech as she shared about the obstacles she overcame to be at school every day.   The other student speaker, Samantha Illes, a patient care technician graduate, said two of the most important she learned at MTC were employability and accountability.  She said, “Everything we do matters to someone.”

Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene congratulated each graduate as they walked across the stage.  MTC director Doug Wagner turned each graduate’s tassel. Also on stage congratulating the students were School Board Chair Karen Carpenter, Deputy Superintendent Cynthia Saunders, and Board of Governors Chair John Ziemnicki.  PCT graduate Jessica Krumwiede gave the invocation.

Career counselor Terri Parrish thanked Pierce Manufacturing for allowing six of MTC’s welding graduates to take off work to be at the graduation ceremony that evening.