CENTRE, ALA.–For the first time since it was constructed, the Gadsden State Cherokee Arena was completeley full as the Spring Commencement ceremony for Gadsden State Community College were held on Thursday in Centre .

463 students graduated system wide, 34 of those were from Cherokee County.

Representative Richard Lindsey, D-Centre, served as the commencement speaker. Representative Lindsey represents District 39 and was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1983. He is past chairman of the Education Finance and Appropriations Committee and has been a member of a number other legislative committees.

He is manager of Lindsey Brothers Inc. and is an official or member of the board of directors of several different organizations including the Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, and Cherokee County ALFA Organization. Representative Lindsey has received numerous awards during his legislative service, including the Lifetime Legislative Leadership Award for his work on behalf of Alabama’s school children from the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools.

This was the first college-wide commencement ceremony held in the Gadsden State Cherokee Arena.

Gadsden State Cherokee was created from a unique community-education partnership that focused on the educational needs of students, the impact on the community, and benefits of accessible, affordable postsecondary education. Representative Lindsey played a major role in establishing the partnership between the College, the local business leaders, elected officials, and state leaders which led to a decision to construct an instructional facility in Cherokee County. We hope to see community members at the ceremony to support the graduates and their families.”