Florence, South Carolina – Florence-Darlington Technical College is excited to announce that the 2024 class of graduates is its largest yet, with a total of 809 exceptional students. FDTC President, Dr. Jermaine Ford, expressed immense pride in these students. “We are so proud of our graduates and the hard work they put in each and every day to excel in their areas of study,” FDTC President Dr. Jermaine Ford said in a press release.
“We have more than 800 students that will graduate this year with the opportunity to obtain a family-sustaining wage or proceed to the next step in their educational journey. From our Area Commission, our faculty and staff, and myself, we wish them nothing but success as they move on to their next steps.”
The commencement ceremony will be held on May 9 at the Florence Center, starting at 6:00 p.m. This event is a significant celebration of the students’ persistence and hard work throughout their educational pursuits. At this ceremony, 459 students will receive associate degrees, 106 will earn diplomas, and 244 will obtain certificates.
Additionally, 21 students from the Early College Academy will be recognized. These students come from a variety of schools, including Darlington High, Mullins High, Marion High, and J. Paul Truluck Magnet School. Also, 20 students will receive certificates in specialized programs from schools like Hannah-Pamplico High for Welding, J. Paul Truluck for Industrial Maintenance, Lake City High for Welding and HVAC, Johnsonville High for HVAC and Welding, and the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools for HVAC.
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Angelica Garcia, one of the soon-to-be graduates, shared her excitement about her upcoming graduation and the celebration of her academic achievements.
“The first thing I’m going to do is I’m going to celebrate my hard work and actually take advantage of my accomplished goals by starting my career and using my degree,” she said. “At Florence-Darlington Technical College, everyone has a common goal: getting your education and earning a degree. I truly agree that the support staff here makes that possible, and you’re offered so many opportunities, whether that’s networking, extra classes, or even daycare services.”
Garcia, a mother of a 5-year-old, chose to come back to FDTC to pursue a degree in the College’s Paralegal program.
“Coming back to school as a parent, it’s been tough,” she said. “The classes have been flexible. My professors have been flexible and, being a parent, you never know what’s going to happen. You have to expect the unexpected. The school and my professor and the support staff, all have been great. Truly, they made it possible.”
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Angelica Garcia represents just one of the many inspiring stories from this year’s graduating class at Florence-Darlington Technical College. A diverse group of students, each from unique backgrounds and at different stages of life, will gather on May 9 to celebrate their achievements. This year, the graduation ceremony will also include 107 Corporate and Workforce Development students who have completed programs like Certified Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, and Pharmacy Technician, in addition to the 809 graduates.
The keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony is Linward C. Edwards, a local attorney and former FDTC student. Edwards, originally from Florence and a 1995 Wilson High School graduate, served four years in the U.S. Air Force before attending Florence-Darlington Technical College where he earned an Associate in Arts Degree in 2002. He continued his education at Francis Marion University, receiving a Bachelor of Business Degree in 2004, and later, a Juris Doctorate from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law in 2010. During his time in law school, he worked at the Public Defender’s Office in D.C. and served as a Judicial Clerk for Federal Judge Margaret Seymour.
In 2012, Edwards opened his law practice in Florence, specializing in Personal Injury Law, some criminal defense, and Family Law. He also served as a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Florence from 2014 until December 2023.
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For those unable to attend in person, the college will offer a live stream of the graduation ceremony on its Facebook page. The event will be held at the Florence Center, located at 3300 W Radio Dr, and will start at 6 p.m.
