Dr. Kristine Strickland, Chancellor of Fletcher Technical Community College, addresses graduates during the college’s Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium in Thibodaux. The ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of Fletcher graduates across academic and workforce training programs during the college’s 75th anniversary year. (Photo by Misty Leigh McElroy/Fletcher Technical Community College)
Fletcher Technical Community College celebrated the achievements of its Spring 2026 graduates during its Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday, May 27, at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium in Thibodaux.
Approximately 175 graduates participated in the ceremony, representing students who completed associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates, and industry-based credentials across a wide range of academic and workforce training programs.
The Spring 2026 graduating class included over 788 students earning more than 1,012 awards. Among the graduates were over 250 students earning associate degrees, nearly 400 first-generation college students, and more than 150 students who earned more than one credit credential. More than half (51%) of associate degree recipients were the first in their families to attend college. Thirty-four graduates achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
The Spring 2026 graduating class reflected the many educational and workforce training opportunities available through Fletcher. Graduates ranged in age from 16 to 67 and included high school students earning technical credentials, working parents balancing careers and family responsibilities, and adult learners pursuing new opportunities later in life.
"From our youngest graduate at age 16 to our oldest graduate at age 67, this class demonstrates that it is never too early, or too late, to pursue new goals and opportunities," said Dr. Kristine Strickland, Chancellor of Fletcher Technical Community College.
Among the graduates recognized were students whose educational journeys reflected determination, perseverance, and a commitment to achieving their goals. Their stories included first-generation college graduates, students overcoming personal and family challenges, and individuals balancing work, caregiving responsibilities, and academic achievement while pursuing their goals.
The ceremony's keynote speaker, Marie DesOrmeaux Centanni, Executive Director of Governmental and Alumni Affairs at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, encouraged graduates to trust the skills they have developed and remain open to opportunities that may lead them in unexpected directions.
"You're leaving here today with a skill, a marketable thing that will open doors for you," Centanni told graduates. "Trust your skill, trust where life will lead you, and rely on what you are walking off this stage with tonight."
Drawing from her own professional journey, Centanni shared how a willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities led her from journalism into government service, strategic communications, and leadership roles, reminding graduates that success often comes from pursuing possibilities they may not have originally imagined.
Held during the college's 75th anniversary year, the commencement ceremony celebrated not only academic achievement, but also the transformative impact education can have on individuals, families, and communities throughout South Louisiana.
The graduates of the Spring 2026 class now join thousands of alumni who have helped strengthen the region's workforce and economy through the skills, knowledge, and credentials earned through the institution over the past 75 years.
About Fletcher Technical Community College
Fletcher Technical Community College, a member of Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges is a vital educational resource serving the Bayou Region. The college offers associate degrees, technical diplomas, short-term workforce training, and free adult education programs such as high school equivalency preparation, digital literacy courses, and English language instruction. Fletcher is committed to providing accessible, high-quality education that strengthens Louisiana’s workforce and supports the economic growth of South Louisiana. Visit www.fletcher.edu for more information.