Calhoun Announces 2014 Graduation Activities

May 7, 2014

Calhoun Announces 2014 Graduation Activities

Calhoun Community College will conduct its 2014 graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 16, 2014, beginning at 6:00 p.m.   The event will take place on the front lawn of the Math/Science/Administration (MSA) building on the Decatur campus.   In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to the Kelley Gymnasium, with televised overflow inside the MSA building.

According to the Calhoun Admissions Office, over 1,700 students have qualified for graduation.   Of that number, close to 500 students plan to participate in this year's ceremony.   A unique feature added to the ceremony several years ago will continue this year – the graduation procession will be led by bagpiper Ryan Morrison.  Also this year (and for the first time), the college will recognize its Most Outstanding Alumnus.

Speaker for this year's graduation service is State Board of Education Member for District VIII, Mary Scott Hunter.  Elected to the school board in 2010, Hunter, is a practicing attorney, currently serving as corporate advisor for Compliance, Ethics and Risk for Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation.

Hunter graduated cum laude from The University of Alabama, also earning her Juris Doctorate degree from The University of Alabama School of Law.  After graduating from law school, she was commissioned as a United States Air Force Lieutenant, serving for 10 years as an Air Force Judge Advocate General (JAG). As a military attorney, she first served in the active duty Air Force, then in the Reserves, and finally in the Alabama Air National Guard - attaining the rank of Major. Her assignments included two overseas tours to Korea and Germany and a wartime deployment to the Middle East. Her military awards include: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, and a Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

Hunter's husband, Lieutenant Colonel Jon Shultz, is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and is now a traditional guardsman with the Alabama Air Guard where he flies F-16 fighter jets. The couple jointly own a small technology company, Torel Technology, LLC and have three children, two boys and a girl, ages 9, 6, and 5.

She has served on the Board of Directors of the Alabama Association of School Boards, in leadership for the National Association of School Boards, and is currently a trustee for Athens State University. She has been recognized and awarded honors for her leadership, her economic and workforce development efforts, and for her community service activities. In 2012, Hunter sought to raise $40,000 to celebrate her 40th birthday and to celebrate the healthy life of her own third child who was born 8 weeks premature in 2007 – successfully raising $60,000 for the March of Dimes.

Mary Scott is often described as a "servant leader." Her core values are Integrity, Service, and Excellence.

Earlier in the day on May 16th, 182 students graduating from Calhoun's associate degree Nursing program (one of the largest classes ever) will participate in the annual Candle Lighting Ceremony. The ceremonies will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the Kelley Gymnasium.

This year's graduation week events will kick off with the College's 2014 GED graduation on Tuesday, May 13th at 6pm in the Kelley Gymnasium.   Close to 200 students will be participating in the annual ceremony celebrating this important milestone. During the ceremony, selected members of the graduating class will share personal stories about their experiences in the GED program.  Calhoun President Dr. Marilyn Beck will provide a congratulatory message to the class.  

For more information about Calhoun's 2014 graduation ceremonies, contact Janet Kincherlow-Martin, Public Affairs, Community Relations, and Special Events at 256-306-2561.

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