Wake Tech Hosts Fall 2012 Commencement

Dec. 17, 2012 - PRLog -- RALEIGH, N.C. ­(December 15, 2012) – Wake Tech Community College hosted commencement exercises for fall 2012 graduates today in the gymnasium on Main Campus. More than 500 students received degrees and diplomas in two ceremonies. The first ceremony included graduates in career programs (associate in applied science degrees) such as business, computer technologies, engineering, health sciences and vocational trades. The second ceremony included graduates in the associate in arts and associate in science degree programs for college/university transfer. Graduates ranged in age from 19 to 58.

The commencement speaker for the first ceremony was Jim Whitehurst, president and CEO of Red Hat. Red Hat supports four $2,000 merit-based scholarships for students in computer technologies programs every year. “On behalf of Red Hat, we’re proud to support the efforts of Wake Tech,” said Whitehurst, “I’m honored to be among the first to congratulate Wake Tech’s Class of 2012 on all of their accomplishments.”

The second ceremony featured two student speakers: Margaret Krahe and Douglas Todt. Krahe is a mother of five who has been out of the workforce for 20 years. “I decided that this was the time in my life that I could choose what I wanted to do,” said Maggie. “I knew I wanted to help either seniors, or children.” Krahe earned an Associate in Arts degree and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

Douglas Todt also earned an Associate in Arts degree. A former U.S. Marine, Todt is planning to transfer to NC State University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and then pursue a career with the FBI. “The classes at Wake Tech are hard, but instructors take one-on-one time with you,” Todt said. “I feel that Wake Tech gave me everything I needed to get to the next stage of my education.”

About Wake Technical Community College:
Wake Technical Community College serves more than 66,000 students annually with five campuses, two training centers, multiple community sites, and a comprehensive array of online learning options. Wake Tech is fully accredited and offers more than 180 associate’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates that prepare students for university transfer or immediate employment. Wake Tech also offers non-credit continuing education programs: customized workforce training, small business support, public safety officer training, basic skills courses such as English as a Second Language and high school equivalency preparation, and other courses for personal enrichment. For more information, visit www.waketech.edu, www.twitter.com/waketechcc, and www.facebook.com/waketechcc.