South College Orlando celebrates 225 graduates at commencement ceremony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2025

South College Orlando held its commencement ceremony on June 13 to celebrate more than 225 graduates from its diverse healthcare programs.

The ceremony took place at Faith Assembly of God and included remarks from guest speaker Brandon Buchanan, Associate Chief Operating Officer at Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, who is committed to mentoring future leaders in healthcare.

Approximately 170 students are looking to the future after crossing the stage at Friday’s graduation. That includes nursing graduates who finished in previous quarters and have entered the workforce. Also invited were graduates in the Orlando area who completed programs at other South College campuses. The total number of graduates was 225.

Nursing graduates were also included in a pinning ceremony, a symbolic rite of passage into the nursing field for the approximately 145 students who successfully completed a nursing program at South College this year.

“Central Florida has a demonstrated need for more healthcare providers, and we commend these students for their dedication and commitment to joining the healthcare profession,” South College Orlando President Jim McCoy said. “We strive to prepare our students to be ready to enter the workforce and we offer educational programs that will lead to long-term professional opportunities after college.”

The Orlando campus, which opened in 2021, offers healthcare-related certificate, associate, and bachelor’s programs in areas such as Health Science, Imaging Science, Medical Assisting, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy and Surgical Technology.

The Orlando campus is located at 6649 Westwood Blvd., Suite 100. For more information about South College Orlando visit south.edu/location/orlando.

Across its national footprint, South College offers an array of academic programs in business, education, healthcare and other fields. The institution was founded in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1882 and now includes ten physical campuses, as well as online and Competency-Based Education programs.

About South College

South College serves more than 16,000 students and is proud of its more than 17,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online and Competency-Based Education (CBE). South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.

South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.