Vol State Commencement is Largest in College History

The forty-third annual commencement ceremony at Volunteer State Community College was held Saturday. It was the largest number of graduates participating in the ceremony in college history, at more than 470. Thousands of family and friends turned out to share in the moment. “This ceremony is called commencement, acknowledging that this is the beginning of a new phase of your life,” said Vol State president, Jerry Faulkner. “Some of you will go on to jobs and careers – some to additional degrees.  We trust that all of you will be life- long learners.” “Graduations are one of my favorite things,” said speaker Emily J. Reynolds, vice chairman of the Tennessee Board of Regents. “It always makes me sentimental to hear the music as we enter – to hear and see the pride in the cheers and faces of your friends and families– to see pairs of siblings and parents and children graduate together.” Steve Yorlano of Gallatin graduated with his daughter, Kelli. “Oh, gosh,” she said with a laugh. “I’m proud of him. It’s something he wanted to do. I’m glad he’s walking when I am.” “At first she through it was weird when she found out we would graduate together,” Steve Yorlano added. “It was weird at first,” Kelli Yorlano finally admitted. But having your dad in college at the same time as you does have its advantages. “It helped having him along.” The 2014-2015 class has more than 1300 eligible graduates. Cac Pham of Hendersonville was named the Outstanding Graduate for 2014-2015. Pham graduated with a 4.0 grade point average and tutored students in math, just two of his many accomplishments while at Vol State. The ceremony was streamed live on the Internet again this year and Dr. Faulkner took a moment to give a welcome to the family of graduate Wendy Garcia, whom were watching the graduation in El Salvador. See photos on our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/volstate