Newly-minted Albany Technical College graduates crowd Albany Civic Center floor Thursday night

ALBANY — Albany Technical College held one of its largest Fall Commencement exercises Thursday night with more than 200 graduates awarded associate degrees, more than 900 diplomas were handed out, and more than 1,700 technical certificates of credit were awarded.

School officials said the number was so high because the college had combined its summer and fall graduations into one exercise.

One of the newly-minted graduates was Matt Newsome, 35, who picked up his associate degree in Computer Information Technology less than two years after earning his GED at Albany Tech. A self-described “Army brat”, Newsome said his grades in high school suffered because of constantly. He eventually dropped out of school.

“I got into carpentry for awhile and bought out my partner but eventually lost my business during the recession,” Newsome said. “And here I was a 30-year-old high school drop out with no idea of what to do with my life. That’s when I decided to come to Albany Tech and get my GED. It changed my life.”

Newsome said he hoped that others in similar situations would look at what he has accomplished over the past few years.

“I’d like to be an example for people who feel lost and tell them it’s never too late,” he said. “Right now I am pursuing the potential of working at Phoebe. I definitely want to get by BS and am finally looking ahead to what the future holds.”

Also among the list of graduates was Jeanetta Miles, who earned an associate degree in Drafting Technology. Just four years ago, she earned her high school diploma after being away from school for nine years.

During those nine years, Miles found herself struggling, having to put her dreams on the back burner while she cared for her two children and mother. Her existence up to that point had been full of challenges and hardships that seemed too overwhelming to conquer.

However, one day while looking at her children, she realized she had to make a better life for herself. She realized that if anything happened to her parents or herself, there would be nothing for her children and they could face the same hardships she had to endure.

In 2010, Miles reached out to Even Start, a program that helped her to complete the requirements to earn her high school diploma. Once she overcame that hurdle, she enrolled in the Strive to Thrive program where she successfully completed and became a volunteer to help others succeed.

“I realized I had to change my situation, break old habits, and change my mindset,” said Miles. “It is through the grace of God and my children that I am here today.”

That decision to change brought Jeanetta to Albany Technical College, where she came across Chinelo Ochie, Albany Tech’s Drafting Technology instructor. Ochie had been Miles’ drafting teacher at Dougherty High School and she was surprised to see her at Albany Tech. Miles said Ochie remembered Miles and proceeded to show her the drafting lab and encouraged her to pursue a degree in drafting.

It was a perfect fit. With Ochie’s support and belief in her abilities, Miles is currently employed as an intern at a local architectural company.

“I feel great right now,” Miles said. “(Graduating) gives me pleasure. In the past was told I would never amount to anything. I had so many barriers placed in front of me, but Strive to Thrive and Albany Tech helped by overcome those barriers,” Miles said.

Albany State Interim President Art Dunning delivered the commencement’s keynote address.