From: Samantha Rose
J.F. Ingram State Technical College
J.F. Ingram State Technical College (ISTC) completed its annual graduation ceremonies May 6-7, celebrating the achievements of 640 graduates from 20 Alabama Department of Corrections institutions.
“Education is the foundation for opportunity and long-term success,” said David Walters, interim president of ISTC. “A GED or high school diploma is often the most important credential a person can earn because it opens the door to every opportunity that follows. From there, every workforce credential earned becomes stackable, allowing students to continue building skills, careers and a better future for themselves and their families.”
The college conducted the ceremonies using the hybrid model established in recent years. Male graduates were recognized during a ceremony Wednesday, May 6, with Alabama Department of Corrections Regional Director and Governor Kay Ivey Correctional Complex Administrator Arthur Fredericks delivering the commencement address. The primary ceremony at Draper Instructional Service Center was simulcast to correctional facilities across the state, allowing graduates to be individually recognized regardless of location.
Female graduates celebrated their accomplishments Thursday, May 7, during an in-person ceremony at Draper Instructional Service Center featuring Lindsay Cline, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the U.S. Navy Maritime Industrial Base Program, as commencement speaker. In her role, Cline works to align industry, education and government partnerships to expand workforce pipelines needed to sustain U.S. shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing capacity.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to prove they can become productive, contributing members of society,” Fredericks said. “I encourage each of these graduates to continue taking advantage of every opportunity available to better themselves and earn as many industry credentials as possible. The work you put in today will create more opportunities for a successful transition back to your communities, your families and the workforce.”
Cline shared her personal testimony with graduates, discussing her journey through hardship, disappointment, loss and ultimately finding purpose through education and surrounding herself with positive influences. She encouraged graduates to believe they are capable of building successful and meaningful lives beyond their past circumstances.
“Your past may explain you, but it does not have permission to define your future,” Cline said. “The very things you survived can become the source of your power. You know how to endure, you know how to survive, and you know how to fight. Now imagine directing all of that strength toward building something beautiful instead of simply surviving.”
Graduates received credentials across 17 career and technical programs, as well as GEDs and high school diplomas. Training programs include high-demand fields such as welding, HVAC, electrical technology, plumbing, automotive, carpentry, office administration, logistics and industrial maintenance.
J.F. Ingram State Technical College is a fully accredited member of the Alabama Community College System dedicated exclusively to serving incarcerated students. The college’s mission focuses on providing quality educational opportunities in 17 career fields statewide that prepare students for successful reintegration into society.
