OTC Celebrates 2026 Graduates
Posted on May 15, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Ogeechee Technical College held its annual commencement ceremony at 7:00 p.m. on May 14 in Hanner Fieldhouse on the campus of Georgia Southern University in front of over 3,000 guests.
371 students were honored before an energy-filled audience of faculty, staff, family members, friends, and local dignitaries. Students who have earned their associate’s degrees, diplomas, technical certificates of credit, and Georgia High School Equivalency diplomas were all recognized and celebrated throughout the evening’s ceremony.
Following a special moment in which OTC President, Lori Durden, asked the graduates to applaud and recognize their parents, spouses, and children, she expressed her gratitude for the graduating class of 2026.
“I’m sure that you feel exhilaration for what you have accomplished and the knowledge and skills that you’ve gained are your rewards, something that can never be taken away from you,” said Durden. “This is certainly a milestone in your life, something that you will remember forever, and I am honored to be a part of it.”
The commencement address, delivered by Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson, author of Amazon Best-seller Disrupting Burnout: The Professional Woman’s Lifeline to Finding Purpose, had some words of encouragement for the 2026 graduates.
“You could have chosen not to do this, you could have given up in the middle of your program, you had many excuses, you could have decided you were not going to push through, you were not going to do the work, you were not going to do what it takes, but decision by decision, day by day, you showed up,” said Jackson. “I want you to know the impact of what you accomplished tonight is going to outlive you for generations to come. I want you know you are building a beautiful, full life.”
The ceremony concluded in celebration with glow sticks, music, and applause. According to data from OTC Registrar, Brandy Murphy, there were 2198 degrees, diplomas, and certificates awarded in AY26 to 1051 students.
About Ogeechee Technical College:
Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. OTC provides student‐centered academic and occupational programs and support services at the associate degree, diploma, and certificate levels. OTC utilizes traditional and distance education methodologies in state-of-the-art facilities while supporting adult education, continuing education, and customized business and industry workforce training. Visit www.ogeecheetech.edu for more information.
Contact Information
Sean Payne
Executive Director for Public Relations & Marketing
912.871.8559 | spayne@ogeecheetech.edu
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