Aiken Technical College celebrates graduates during commencement ceremony

Samantha Winn, Aiken Standard, S.C.
Updated ·3 min read

May 3—Smiles of joy were on display as students from Aiken Technical College received their diplomas.

Over 200 graduates received associate degrees and certifications and were recognized for their academic achievements on Tuesday at the USC Aiken Convocation Center.

"It means everything. My kids have had a really hard time because over the past few years, I have dedicated so much time to nursing and it just means a lot to have time with them again and have them see me fulfill my dreams," nursing graduate Megan Sayers said. "It is important to me because what I went through having babies is what made me want to be a nurse and to be able to help other moms and to be able to help other people going through that. I think the biggest thing for me is to help other people and I think that sets a really good example for my young kids."

Aiken Tech and USC Aiken alumna Rysheeka Bush, who works within the community at Helping Hands and as an active member of the Rotary Club of Aiken Sunrise, spoke to the graduating class as the keynote speaker.

"To the Class of 2023, if no one else has told you today, I'm telling you, I am so proud of you," Bush said. "All of your hard work and dedication has paid off. It takes strength, it takes courage to stick with something until the end — and you did it!

"This is the beginning of a journey for some and a fresh start for others — regardless of the case, you seized the opportunity and found success at the end."

During the commencement ceremony, nursing professor Patricia Williams and Student Affairs employee Erynn Black were recognized as faculty and staff members of the year.

Aiken Tech president Forest Mahan is proud to showcase the success of students at the school on their future endeavors.

"It is a big day for us today in the history of college, but part of our annual process. This is what we are really all about and this gives us the opportunity to demonstrate to the communities that we are producing the quality but also the quantity of graduates that are going directly into the workforce or advance to a four year level," Mahan said.

"Right now there are so many open jobs without people and our goal is to make sure that we get the people matched up with the skills needed to get those jobs," he continued. "That is basically what we are all about. There are a lot of job openings right here in Aiken County and good paying jobs, and so these students are going to fill many of those positions, and that is our hope."

"It's a big accomplishment, definitely in my family and they are very proud of me to be a First Gen to walk across the stage, and it has actually influenced my other siblings that are older than me to go back and try to finish as well," computer science and technology graduate Johnny Hill said. "I think these types of ceremonies are great to bring people together, and I think that it means the world to more people than you know."