CENTRE, AL – Gadsden State Community College held its Spring Commencement Ceremony on May 13 at the Richard Lindsey Arena on the Gadsden State Cherokee campus. The celebration honored students who fulfilled the academic and technical requirements of their respective programs during the Spring 2025 semester.
The ceremony featured addresses from three student speakers—Daniel Brown, Ashley Hawk, and Kristina O’Neal—who represented the resilience, determination, and diversity of the graduating class.
Daniel Brown, a graduate with both an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and an Associate of Science in General Studies, shared his journey as a student veteran and academic mentor. Brown, who was active in Veterans Upward Bound, Phi Theta Kappa, the Student Nursing Association, and served as a tutor at the Cardinal Tutoring Center, will be joining UAB’s Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit as a registered nurse and plans to continue his studies toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Ashley Hawk, originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, celebrated earning a Short-Term Certificate for Word Processing Specialist in addition to her previously earned Associate of Applied Science in Office Administration Medical Coding and Scribing. A member of Phi Theta Kappa and Student Support Services, Hawk plans to continue her education at Gadsden State in the Health Information Technology program.
Kristina O’Neal, of Centre, graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Registered Nursing. She was involved in the Student Nursing Association, Cardinal Tutoring, and Student Support Services. O’Neal looks forward to working in the emergency department at Regional Medical Center.
The Spring 2025 commencement recognized hundreds of graduates from across Alabama and neighboring states, spanning a wide range of academic disciplines and professional certifications. From nursing and office administration to general studies and technical fields, the class reflects the college’s mission to provide affordable, high-quality education to diverse student populations.
Graduates hailed from communities throughout Alabama including Gadsden, Anniston, Oxford, Fort Payne, and Pell City, as well as out-of-state locations such as Cedartown and Rome, Georgia; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Austell, Georgia.
The full list of graduates highlights Gadsden State’s extensive regional reach and the success of its programs in preparing students for both the workforce and continued higher education.
As the graduates turn the page to the next chapter of their lives—whether in hospitals, offices, classrooms, or continued studies—the Spring 2025 commencement stands as a testament to their perseverance and the college’s ongoing commitment to academic and career excellence.
