Annalee Harlan Sams, mayor of the City of Dalton, and Bárbara Rivera Holmes, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor, will serve as keynote speakers during Dalton State College’s 2025 Spring commencement exercises on Wednesday, May 14, at the Dalton Convention Center.
“We are incredibly proud of our graduates and grateful to Mayor Sams and Commissioner Holmes for sharing their knowledge and advice with our graduates,” said John Fuchko, president of Dalton State. “Their insights will undoubtedly inspire and guide our students as they embark on their professional journeys.”
Nearly 500 students will receive diplomas during the exercises, marking a significant milestone as they cross the stage equipped with the skills and knowledge to step into the workforce.
Mayor Sams will address graduates of Dalton State’s School of Health Professions and Wright School of Business and their families and guests during the 3:30 p.m. ceremony.
A fourth-generation citizen of Dalton, Sams was elected mayor in 2023. Sams previously served on the City Council, where she led Dalton’s COVID-19 response, including pioneering municipal vaccination and treatment programs. Her commitment to Dalton has been recognized with accolades such as the Rising Star Award at the 2022 Junior Achievement Northwest Georgia Business Hall of Fame Banquet. Sams is a graduate of the Baylor School and Bryan College, and she enjoys baseball in her free time.
Commissioner Holmes will address graduates of Dalton State’s School of Education and School of Arts and Sciences and their families and guests during the 7 p.m. ceremony.
Sworn in as the 11th Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor in April 2025, Commissioner Holmes is the state’s first Latina constitutional officer. Her role is crucial to Georgia’s economic health, overseeing services like unemployment insurance and workforce development. Holmes’ extensive experience includes appointments to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and co-chairing the Georgia Innovates Task Force. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including a Congressional Commendation from U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and multiple accolades from the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Trend magazine.
Dalton State’s commencement exercises will be livestreamed online via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@DaltonStateOfficial. Streaming links will also be made available on the college’s Facebook page, @iLikeDaltonState.
