Roane State graduation set for May 6-7

Roane State Community College will hold its commencement ceremonies on May 6-7.

Both events, to be held in the gym on the Roane County campus in Harriman, will be equal in presentation.

• Friday, May 6, at 7 p.m. (Eastern) for recipients of the Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S) in nursing, recipients of A.A.S. degrees in allied health sciences, and for recipients of certificates in allied health sciences.
• Saturday, May 7, at 10 a.m. (Eastern) for recipients of Associate of Arts degrees and Associate of Science degrees, recipients of the Associate of Science in Teaching, and for recipients of A.A.S. degrees or certificates in all other fields.

The Friday ceremony will also include the graduation of Roane State’s first Middle College students. Middle College allows high school students to take college classes in their junior and senior years of high school and then graduate with their diploma and their associate degree.

Twenty high school seniors from Roane County schools will graduate from Roane State on Friday, May 6. The seniors began taking Roane State courses in fall 2014 as part of the college’s first Middle College class.

Community leader and Roane State alumnus Willie J. Gallaher will be the speaker for the Friday ceremony. Gallaher is network administrator for the Harriman Utility Board and pastor of St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church of Harriman. He played basketball at Roane State and continues to be involved in the sport, serving as an assistant boys basketball coach at Harriman High School for the past 15 years.

Russ Deaton, interim executive director at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, will speak at the Saturday event. Formerly, Deaton was THEC’s associate executive director for fiscal policy and administration where, in addition to his responsibilities as CFO, he directed finance policy development and research including the funding formula, tuition policy, and financial aid.

Roane State will offer DVDs of graduation. The cost is $20, plus $5 for shipping and handling. Visitors may place their order at the commencement events. Orders will be taken at rehearsals and in the gym lobby before, during and after the ceremonies. The order form is also available online at www.roanestate.edu/graduation. Call (865) 882-4556 for questions about ordering DVDs.

Photographs will be available for purchase through GradImages. Graduates will have a photo taken onstage as they shake hands with Roane State President Chris Whaley and as they return to their seats. Soon after the ceremony, graduates can view and order photos at www.gradimages.com.

Visitors do need to be aware that bridge repair on Interstate 40 between Exit 350 and Exit 352 may cause traffic delays.

For more information, visit www.roanestate.edu/graduation.

This press release was submitted by Owen Driskill.

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