OCTC to Honor 95 GED Recipients at Graduation

by Becky Barnhart

Owensboro, KY (07/07/2026) — Owensboro Community and Technical College's (OCTC) Adult Education program will celebrate 95 GED recipients at its annual graduation ceremony, honoring adult learners who completed the four-course program over the past year.

The 2026 GED Graduation will take place on Thursday, July 9, at 6 p.m. in Blandford Hall on OCTC's Main Campus, 4800 New Hartford Road. A reception will follow.

In collaboration with community partners, OCTC's Adult Ed program served over 800 students this program year in both GED and English language programs at sites throughout Daviess and Ohio counties, including the Daviess County Detention Center

For many graduates, this ceremony marks a moment years in the making - the chance to put on a cap and gown, cross the stage, and receive a certificate from OCTC President Dr. Scott Williams, with family and friends cheering them on.

"We are so proud of our graduates, many of whom hold down full-time jobs and care for families while working toward their GED," said Lindsey Kafer, Director of Adult Education at OCTC. "Their determination and persistence are inspiring to say the least."

This year's ceremony will also honor GED graduates from Owensboro Day Treatment and feature keynote speakers who will share their experiences pursuing and earning their GEDs.

"For adult learners, obtaining a GED is transformational. It absolutely has an economic impact on their families and our communities, but it also shapes their self-understanding," said Kafer. "It boosts their confidence and helps them imagine more for themselves. The ripple effect is hard to quantify."

Federal funding reductions continue to threaten the program, which Kafer said is critical to the region. "We know the difference a GED can make in a life and a family and a community, and we depend on this community to ensure the program's continued success and impact."

To learn more about supporting OCTC's GED program, contact Kafer at lindsey.kafer@kctcs.edu.

Thursday's GED Graduation ceremony is open to the public.

Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.

Connect with OCTC: Owensboro.kctcs | Facebook.com/owensboroctc | Twitter@OCTC_Tweets | Instagram OwensboroCTC

Owensboro Community and Technical College

OCTC to Honor 95 GED Recipients at Graduation

Owensboro Community and Technical College

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