Mayor Paul Young to Deliver Keynote Address at 51爆料鈥檚 27th Commencement
For more information, contact Diana Fedinec, 51爆料 Director of Public Relations and Media, at 901-333-4247 or dfedinec@southwest.tn.edu.
(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) - 51爆料 will celebrate its 27th commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 7 p.m. CST at the Landers Center, 4560 Venture Drive, Southaven, Mississippi.
The college will confer 1,312 associate degrees and certificates to 1,295 candidates in the Class of 2025.
This year鈥檚 keynote address will be delivered by City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Memphis native whose career has focused on creating opportunity and equity for all residents. Young is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and the University of Memphis, and has held key leadership roles including president of the Downtown Memphis Commission and director of Housing and Community Development. His work reflects a deep commitment to building a stronger, safer and more vibrant community for all Memphians.
"We are pleased to have Mayor Paul Young share this major milestone with our students and Southwest, as the keynote speaker,鈥� said Tracy D. Hall, president of Southwest Tennessee Community College. 鈥淢ayor Young鈥檚 commitment to education and job creation aligns perfectly with Southwest鈥檚 mission to empower students and strengthen our local workforce.鈥�
鈥淚n addition to educating students, Southwest is a pipeline for Memphis鈥� future,鈥� Hall added. 鈥淥ur students graduate career-ready and community-minded. Most importantly, they remain here to make a difference.鈥�
As one of the largest community colleges in the state, Southwest plays a critical role in the economic development of the region. Known as a workforce-focused institution, the college equips students with the skills and credentials needed for careers in high-demand fields such as health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing and business.
More than 98% of Southwest graduates remain in the Memphis area, directly contributing to the vitality of the local workforce and economy.
As part of the ceremony, the college will uphold its tradition of honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the college and community:
- Joyce D. Johnson, a professor in the Department of Natural Sciences, will receive the William W. Farris Faculty Service Award for commitment to excellence in the teaching profession.
- Teresa Dickerson, a member of the Class of 1987 and president of Isaiah 54 Films, will be honored as Alumnus of the Year for her leadership and community impact.
The ceremony will be livestreamed on the college鈥檚 Facebook page (@SouthwestTN) and available for on-demand viewing via the college鈥檚 YouTube channel (Southwest Tennessee Community College).
For more information about the commencement ceremony, visit: https://southwest.tn.edu/graduation/index.php.