Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger will address the 2011 graduating class of the Tennessee Technology Center (TTC) at Chattanooga State Community College. The commencement program will take place in the gymnasium on the main campus, Saturday, August 13 at 10 a.m.

This will mark the first time TTC graduates will receive their technical diplomas and certificates at a separate graduation ceremony from the credit side of the College. The decision was made to hold a separate graduation ceremony due to the ever-increasing number of graduates, family members and friends wanting to attend graduation. There are 676 graduates in the class of 2011.

When asked if the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant has contributed to the number of graduates completing technical training, Dr. Mike Ricketts, TTC dean and department head for off-campus program said, “The grant has increased enrollment and helped recipients to continue their education.”

The Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant is available to adults of any age and recent high school graduates who have been residents of Tennessee for one year. The grant provides $2,000 per year for study of any of the technical career programs offered by a Tennessee Technology Center. It is available to both full-time and part-time students. A high school diploma or GED is not required for most programs.

Commencement speaker Jim M. Coppinger, a life-long resident of Hamilton County, joined the City of Chattanooga Fire Department in October 1977. After more than 25 years on the job, he retired from the position of fire chief in 2005. Coppinger was elected to the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners in September 2006, where he has served two terms as Chairman Pro Tempore and one term as Chairman. Following the resignation of former Hamilton County Mayor Clyde Ramsey, Coppinger was appointed to the position on January 11, 2011.

In addition to Mayor Coppinger, the Vice Chancellor for the Tennessee Technology Centers, James D. King will be in attendance at the TTC graduation. King has responsibility for 27 technology centers in the state.