Calhoun Community College will conduct its 2022 graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 12th, 2022, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. For those unable to attend, the ceremony will be live streamed on the homepage of the Calhoun website at www.calhoun.edu.
According to Calhoun’s Office of Admissions, more than 1,480 students have qualified for graduation this year. Of that number, approximately 450 students plan to participate in this year’s ceremony with additional names being added to the list daily.
The speaker for this year’s graduation ceremony is Mrs. Donna C. Coleman, CEO of Aetos Systems, Inc., a company she founded in 2007, which serves both government and commercial clients. Additionally, Coleman is a proud graduate of Calhoun Community College, where she earned an Applied Science degree, as well as Athens State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree.
Prior to founding Aetos, the Hartselle, Alabama native worked in the Information Technology and Engineering Services Industry for more than 30 years. Her professional work experience includes technical and business development roles for Intergraph Corporation, McDonnell Douglas, and SAIC Corporation, as well as other experiences within local small businesses.
Actively involved in her community, Donna currently serves on several non-profit boards including the National Space Club North Alabama Chapter, Pregnancy Resource Center, Choose Life of North Alabama, Energy Huntsville, and is currently serving as the President of the Athens State University Foundation Board. She is also involved in the NASA community and is an active member of the NASA Headquarters Industry Forum and NASA Small Business Executive Leadership Team. Most recently, Donna was appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey to serve on the Information Technology Career and Technical Education State Course of Study Committee and Task Force.
As a high-energy leader with exceptional interpersonal, diplomatic, and communication skills, Coleman has been the recipient of many prestigious leadership awards and accomplishments. Some of those include the 2022 Dr. Angeline Nazaretian Distinguished Service Award from Athens State University, the 2015 Small Business Administration’s Alabama Small Business Person of the Year Award, as well as the 2014 Women’s Economic Development Council’s Foundation Women Honoring Women Honoree for Business and Industry. She is also a graduate of Leadership Alabama Class XXIX, 2022 Leadership Greater Huntsville and served as the Co-Chair for the Leadership Huntsville Class 32 Flagship program.
Donna is married to John Coleman, and together they have two sons who are married and two grandsons.
“Calhoun is so excited to have one of our alums speak at our very first graduation ceremony at the Von Braun Center,” commented Dr. Jimmy Hodges, Interim President. “Donna has had an impressive career, and we hope that her story will not only resonate with our students but that the motivation and wisdom she extends will give them the determination to continuously persevere throughout their lifetime,” added Hodges.
This year’s graduation events will kick off with special ceremonies for the students graduating from our Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), and Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) programs, as well as our Adult Education (GOAL) partnership program with Drake State Community & Technical College. Those special ceremonies will be held on the following dates:
· MLT Pinning Ceremony – May 9, 5 PM in the Student Center, Sparkman Bldg. (HSV)
· Nursing Candlelighting Ceremony – May 12, 10 AM at the Kelley Gymnasium (DEC)
· PTA Pinning Ceremony – May 12, 2 PM in room 109, Health Sciences Bldg. (DEC)
· GED Graduation Ceremony – May 17, 6 PM in the Sparkman Bldg., Grand Foyer (HSV)
