Calhoun Community College will conduct its first-ever outdoor graduation ceremony at 6 p.m. May 16 on the front lawn of the college’s new Math and Science building. According to the Calhoun Admissions Office, about 1,000 students have completed requirements for graduation during the 2007-2008 academic year. Of that number, close to 400 plan to participate in the graduation ceremony next week.

Speaker for this year’s graduation service is Dr. Marshall W. Smith.

Smith is the sixth president of John Tyler Community College in Virginia and its longest serving chief executive officer. He is also a former dean of instruction for Calhoun.

His career began with student affairs positions in Alabama and Georgia, culminating in his service as Dean of Students at South Georgia College in the mid-1970s. He then moved to academic administration, serving as both Dean of Instruction and Dean of the College at Calhoun.

Smith moved to Virginia in 1985 to assume the presidency of Germanna Community College and served as Vice Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System for four years just prior to his appointment at John Tyler

He is an adjunct member of the Graduate Faculty of Old Dominion University, occasionally teaching a doctoral course entitled The Modern Community College. Smith is the current president of the Crater Regional Partnership in Petersburg and served 12 years as secretary/treasurer of the Southern Association of Community, Junior, and Technical Colleges, with a one-year stint as president of the organization.

During Calhoun’s graduation ceremony, Medallions of Recognition will be presented, honoring several individuals for their service to the college. 

The annual Candle Lighting Ceremony for graduates of the College’s 2008 Associate Degree Nursing class will be held at 2 p.m. in the college’s Kelley gymnasium.

On Tuesday, Calhoun will recognize 2008 General Education Development graduates. This ceremony will take place in the Kelley Gymnasium at 6 p.m.

Keynote speaker is Dr. Susan Price, Vice Chancellor for the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education.For more information, contact Janet Kincherlow-Martin, Public Affairs and Community Relations, at (256) 306-2560.