Dear Faculty and Staff:
May is a festive and exciting time for our college community, especially with the spring commencement ceremony only days away. Thanks to the solid preparation received at Perimeter College, this class of more than 700 graduates is prepared to continue their education or enter the workforce. Our “college to career” efforts shine brightly during this week’s Nurse and Dental Hygiene pinning ceremonies which include 52 and 28 students respectively. It is always an honor for me to participate in these sacred rites of passage for students who, once they graduate, can move directly to rewarding jobs in the healthcare fields or seek additional education and training.
The Perimeter College Class of 2023 also includes State Farm graduates who took part in our Georgia State LIFT (Learning, Income and Family Transformation) program. Through LIFT, we are continually making a difference in the lives of Perimeter College students, like Paris “Chichi” Onyeokoro. I encourage you to read Chichi’s inspiring story and learn more about the State Farm Scholars program and what it’s doing to transform the future of the participants, many of whom are first-generation graduates.
In addition, for the first time in the college’s history, Perimeter will graduate its first class of students to complete their college degrees while incarcerated. This week nine students at Walker State Prison are set to receive their associate degrees in general studies. This group of graduates participated in Georgia State University’s Prison Education Project, which provides college courses in prisons taught by Perimeter professors. Among the nine graduates, all are graduating with honors and three are graduating with highest honors. While this is a big deal for us, it is also a first for the state of Georgia. I wish to convey my heartfelt congratulations to every single student set to receive their associate degree this Friday. This is such an incredible milestone. And cheers to you, Perimeter faculty and staff, for all that you’ve done to ensure their success.
In closing, as we approach the summer months, although the work of the college continues, I hope that you will take some time to unwind and make memories with your family and friends during this typically slower season for the college. We will suspend publication of the Perimeter Post for June, July and August, but will resume publishing in the fall. In the meantime, keep an eye on your email for any college communications. As always, I want to thank you for all that you do to make Perimeter a special place.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Y. Lester, Ph.D.
Interim Dean