Family and friends gathered July 25 at Warren Baptist Church on Furys Ferry Road to celebrate the 12th Augusta campus graduation of Helms College’s School of Hospitality and School of Health Services.

Earning their culinary diplomas were Steve Acosta, Marcus Collins, Leon O’Bryant Gibbons, Deontae Matthews (Honor Graduate), Fredericka Truesdell (Honor Graduate) and John Van Zant. Students earning their Associates Degree in Culinary Arts included Carter Baker (Honor Graduate), Derek Bellamy (Honor Graduate), Timothy Joseph Byrd (Academic Excellence Graduate, Valedictorian), Michael Wayne Deal (Honor Graduate), Kieana Dix, Trevor Drvodelic (Honor Graduate), Nicolas Galvan, Sharon Gittens (Honor Graduate), Justine Hillary (Honor Graduate), Victoria Marie Hockert (Honor Graduate, She’rod Holmes, Jeffrey Wayne Railey (Honor Graduate), Jasmine Ruff (Honor Graduate), David William Rushing (Honor Graduate), Shelbey Vivien Smith (Honor Graduate), Rose Ann Warren (Honor Graduate), Margaret Ashley Grey Widener (Honor Graduate), Shakela Williams-Hines (Honor Graduate) and Tyrell Devon Williams.

Students receiving their Patient Care Technician Certificate from the School of Health Services included Dinita Brooks (Honor Graduate), Takea Byrd (Honor Graduate), Reukiah Cook (Honor Graduate), Cherri Johnson (Honor Graduate), Valencia Jones (Honor Graduate), Kahdesiah Steed (Honor Graduate), Brandi Williams (Honor Graduate), DaJuan Winfrey and Salena Young (Honor Graduate). Those graduating as Multi-Skilled Medical Assistants include Hayley Elizabeth Austin (Honor Graduate), Tiffany Booker (Honor Graduate), Keisha Brown, Quanyshia Byrdsell (Honor Graduate), Fadeijah Curry, Shavoneeya Curry (Honor Graduate), Shakira Davis (Honor Graduate), Gladys Felder (Honor Graduate), Keshia Garrett (Honor Graduate), Ileana Gener (Honor Graduate), Carolyn Denise Johnson (Honor Graduate), Syreeta Lowery (Honor Graduate), Lindsey McCladdie (Academic Excellence Graduate), Alfreida Nicholson (Academic Excellence Graduate, Salutatorian), Jennie Roper, Moemeackarlar Marshae Rouse (Honor Graduate), Jennifer Thomas (Honor Graduate), Surina Walker (Honor Graduate), Carmella Williams (Honor Graduate) and Evony Williams (Honor Graduate).

“Helms College is a great platform for people wanting to start a career in the food and beverage industry,” said Valedictorian T.J. Byrd. “The instructors provide the tools to learn all aspects of the industry, from the culinary side to the business side. My degree from Helms College has already opened up doors for me in my career and has enabled me to begin my Bachelor of Science in Business Studies.”

These 55 graduates, about 80 percent of whom already have positions lined up in their fields of study, will join 348 of their fellow Helms College graduates from the Augusta campus who have embarked on career paths since the school earned its accreditation in 2011. The holistic, experiential learning approach utilized by the career training school has earned it a growing reputation for hands-on instruction from experienced faculty in supportive, learning environments. The college is enrolling students now for the session beginning in October.  

“Our students have access to affordable education that prepares them for careers in fast-growing industries,” said Gary Markowitz, Ed.D, senior vice president of education at the private, independent postsecondary career school sponsored by Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA. “We’re equipping students to go out and build career pathways to success.”