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Southwest Tennessee Community College to honor Class of 2024 at Landers Center commencement May 8

For more information, contact Diana Fedinec, Southwest Tennessee Community College Director of Public Relations and Media, at 901-333-4247 or dfedinec@southwest.tn.edu.

(Memphis, Tenn.) - Southwest Tennessee Community College’s 26th Commencement will take place May 8, at the Landers Center, 4560 Venture Dr., in Southaven, Mississippi. The ceremony starts at 7:00 p.m. (CST).

President Tracy D. Hall will confer 1,184 associate degrees and certificates to 1,179 graduates of the Class of 2024.

Six students, the inaugural cohort, will graduate with an associate of applied science degree in aviation operations technology (AOT) with a concentration in flight dispatch. The AOT program launched in March 2022 as the first two-year aviation program in the state, and offers two other concentrations: professional pilot and aviation administration.  

“It is with immense pride that I celebrate the inaugural graduation of students from our aviation program,” said Southwest Tennessee Community College President Tracy D. Hall. “The need for skilled professionals in this industry is ever-growing. I have no doubt our students will soar to great heights in their profession, serving as an inspiration to students who aspire to follow in their footsteps. I am excited for their futures and extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our graduates for their hard work and outstanding achievement.”       

The opportunity to study flight dispatch in the Memphis area was a dream come true for Southwest aviation student and FedEx employee Alfred Coleman III, who said earning his credential seemed impossible. 

“Aviation programs usually cost too much and take too long to complete,” Coleman said. “Thanks to Southwest’s aviation program, the cost was very affordable. Having this aviation degree will open up opportunities for me. This program has the potential to change our local workforce and uplift the lives of many in our community who desire to have a rewarding career in aviation.”

Reginald W. Coopwood, president and CEO of Regional One Health, will deliver the commencement address. Coopwood’s work at Regional One Health is complemented by his commitment to the health and well-being of individuals in the community. He possesses unique expertise in progressive healthcare management including extensive experience working with government stakeholders and health industry leaders. Coopwood serves as a board member of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and the Memphis Medical District Collaborative. He is an alumnus of Leadership Memphis and also serves on the Tennessee Hospital Association Board of Directors. Over the years, Coopwood has earned numerous honors for his work in healthcare and was inducted into the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame in 2022.

Nacaria Royal, will address fellow graduates as the student speaker. A single mother who overcame numerous challenges during her academic journey, including high school expulsion and domestic violence, Royal graduates cum laude and as a member of the International Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She will earn an associate of science in general studies and has plans to pursue a degree in social work at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, laying the groundwork for her goal of attending Howard University to pursue a law degree.

It is a Southwest tradition to bestow two awards to individuals for their excellence in teaching and leadership, and commitment to the college and community, respectively. The William W. Farris Faculty Service Award will be presented to Mahmuda Sultana, associate professor of mathematics; the Alum of the Year will be awarded to Lisa E. Hadley, Class of 1987, who is an associate professor in the Division of Business and Legal Studies. 

For those who cannot attend commencement, the ceremony will be live-streamed on the college’s Facebook page at @SouthwestTN and available for on-demand viewing on its YouTube channel at Southwest Tennessee Community College.

More details about commencement may be found on Southwest’s website at www.southwest.tn.edu.