With a toss of the tassel, thousands of Georgia's best and brightest will graduate from junior and senior colleges in the next few weeks. Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper director Sally Bethea, CNN Headline News host Nancy Grace, a handful of regents from the state's university system and other prominent speakers will make the rounds, imparting words of wisdom and best wishes. It's graduation time! Here's a recap of some commencements across the state:

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton: 6 p.m. May 2, Gressette Gymnasium. Speaker: U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, (R-Ga.). 150 graduates.

Agnes Scott College, Decatur: 9:30 a.m. May 10, science quadrangle. Speaker: Mayor Shirley Franklin, 208 graduates.

Albany State University, Albany: 10 a.m. May 3, James H. Gray Sr. Civic Center. Speaker: Dan Pallotta, founder of Pallotta TeamWorks. 335 graduates.

Andrew College, Cuthbert: 11 a.m., May 3, gymnasium. Speaker: Ruth Knox, president of Wesleyan College. 41 graduates.

Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah: 10 a.m. May 3, Savannah Civic Center. Speaker: None. 633 graduates.

Atlanta Christian College: 10:30 a.m. May 10, New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville. Speaker: Millard Fuller, founder and former president of Habitat for Humanity. 65 graduates.

Atlanta Metropolitan College: 10 a.m. May 9, physical education complex. Speaker: John H. Eaves Jr., chairman, Fulton County Commission. 236 graduates.

Augusta State University: 10 a.m. May 10, James Brown Arena. Speaker: Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver. 1,059 graduates.

Bainbridge College: 7 p.m. May 9, Decatur County Memorial Coliseum. Speaker: James A. Burran, retired president of Dalton State College. 240 graduates.

Berry College, Mount Berry: 2 p.m. May 10, Memorial Library lawn. Speaker: U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.). 306 graduates.

Brenau University, Gainesville: Women's College, 6 p.m., May 9, Georgia Mountain Center. Speaker: Dean R. Hirsch, president and CEO of World Vision International. 201 graduates. Evening, Weekend and Online College, 10 a.m. May 10, Georgia Mountain Center. Speaker: Dean R Hirsch. 552 graduates.

Brewton-Parker College, Mount Vernon: 10 a.m. May 10, Mount Vernon campus and 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Hinesville. 10 a.m. speaker: Brad Creed, provost and executive vice president of Samford University, Birmingham, Ala. 103 graduates. 6 p.m. speaker: Cindy L. Skaruppa, Brewton-Parker's vice president for enrollment services. 87 graduates.

Clark Atlanta University: 8 a.m. May 19, Panther Stadium. Speaker: Reatha Clark King, retired president and chairman of the board of the General Mills Foundation. 800 graduates.

Clayton State University, Morrow: 9 a.m. and noon May 10, Athletic and Fitness Center. Speaker: Judge Michael Baird, Clayton State alumnus. 402 graduates.

Coastal Georgia Community College, Brunswick: 7 p.m. May 2, Howard E. Coffin Gymnasium. Speaker: None. 170 graduates.

Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur: 10 a.m. May 17, Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Speaker: None. 103 graduates.

Columbus State University: 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. May 10, Lumpkin Center. Speaker: Frank Brown, CSU president. 640 graduates.

Dalton State College: 7 p.m. May 2, Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center. Speaker: Reagan Watkins, graduating senior, BBA marketing. 600 graduates.

Darton College, Albany: 7 p.m. May 7, physical education complex. Speaker: Superior Court Judge Joe C. Bishop, 272 graduates.

DeVry University, Decatur: 1 p.m. June 22, Gwinnett Center Arena. Speaker: TBA. 300 graduates.

East Georgia College, Swainsboro: 7 p.m. May 9, Luck Flanders Gambrell Auditorium. Speaker: Felton Jenkins, member, Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. 45 graduates.

Emory University, Atlanta: 8 a.m. May 12, University Quadrangle. Speaker: Bernie Marcus, philanthropist and co-founder of Home Depot. 3,550 graduates.

Fort Valley State University: 9:30 a.m. May 3, Health and Physical Education Complex. Speaker: James H. Ammons, president, Florida A&M University. 260 graduates.

Gainesville State College: 7 p.m. May 8, Hugh M. Mills Physical Education Complex. Speaker: Nancy Patricia Batchelor, Student Government Association president. 350 graduates.

Georgia Baptist College of Nursing: Noon May 3, Sheffield Center, Cecil B. Day Campus of Mercer University, Atlanta. Speaker: Libby V. Morris, director, Institute of Higher Education, University of Georgia. 56 graduates.

Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville: Graduate students: 7 p.m. May 9, front campus. Speaker: Alex Gregory, president and CEO of YKK Corporation of America. Undergraduate: 9 a.m. May 10, Speaker: Erik Chambers, graduating senior and member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society. 1,074 graduates.

Georgia Highlands College, Rome: 10 a.m. May 10, The Forum Civic Center Complex. Speaker: Willis Potts, member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. 500 graduates.

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta: 9 a.m. May 3, The Georgia Dome. Speaker: Dean Kamen, president of DEKA Research and Development Corporation. 2,255 graduates. A total of 135 Ph.D. students graduated in services held April 23.

Georgia Perimeter College: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 9, Clarkston campus gymnasium. Decatur; Speaker: Secretary of Labor Michael Thurmond. 905 graduates.

Georgia Southern University, Statesboro: 9 a.m. May 10, Paulson Stadium. Speaker: U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.). 2,393 graduates.

Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus: 11 a.m. May 9, Convocation Hall, Student Success Center. Speaker: Beheruz Sethna, president of University of West Georgia. 220 graduates.

Georgia State University, Atlanta: 2 p.m. May 10, The Georgia Dome. Speaker: Andrew Young, human rights activist, former ambassador and former Atlanta mayor. 2,849 graduates.

Gordon College, Barnesville: 8:30 a.m. May 10, Lambdin Green, Speaker: Rob Watts, chief operating officer, University System of Georgia. 450 graduates.

Herzing College, Atlanta: 11 a.m. June 21, Georgia World Congress Center (Sidney Marcus Auditorium), Speaker: Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.). 70 graduates.

Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta: 8:30 a.m. May 3, MLK International Chapel at Morehouse College. Speaker: The Rev. William D. Watley, Ph.D., ITC alumnus and senior pastor of Saint James AME Church, Newark, N.J. 110 graduates.

John Marshall Law School, Atlanta: 1 p.m. May 17, Georgia World Congress Center (Sidney Marcus Auditorium). Speaker: Griffin B. Bell, former U.S. Attorney General and a former justice on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. 105 graduates.

Keller Graduate School of Management, Decatur: 5 p.m. June 22, Gwinnett Center Arena. Speaker: Judy B. Turner, president and CEO of Decatur First Bank. 450 graduates.

Kennesaw State University: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 13; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 14, KSU Convocation Center. May 13 speakers: 2 p.m., Bernard Osher, founding director of World Savings; 7 p.m., Richard A. Anderson, executive director of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority. May 14 speakers: 2 p.m., Gregory L. Simone, president and CEO of WellStar Health System; 7 p.m. TBA. 1,902 graduates.

LaGrange College: 8:30 a.m. May 17, College Quadrangle. Speaker: Sally Bethea, executive director of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. 293 graduates.

Life University, Marietta: 1 p.m. June 20, Eagle's Nest Gym. Speaker: TBA. Number of graduates: TBD.

Macon State College: 10 a.m. May 9, Macon Coliseum. Speaker: Rob Watts, chief operating officer of the University System of Georgia. 740 graduates.

Medical College of Georgia, Augusta: 2 p.m. May 9, James Brown Arena. Speaker: Dr. Darrell G. Kirch, president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges. 798 graduates.

Mercer University, Macon: 9 a.m. May 10, The University Center. Speaker: Nancy A. Grace, Mercer alumna and host of self-titled Headline News' legal analysis program. 480 graduates.

Mercer University College of Continuing and Professional Studies: Macon graduates: 7 p.m. May 10, The University Center. Speaker: Y. Lynn Holmes, Mercer alumnus and former president of Brewton-Parker College. 109 graduates. Atlanta graduates: 9 a.m. May 17, Sheffield Center, Cecil B. Day Campus (Atlanta). Speaker: Caryn McTighe Musil, senior vice president of diversity, equity and global initiatives for the Association of American Colleges and Universities. 105 graduates.

Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: 9 a.m. May 3, Sheffield Center, Cecil B. Day Campus (Atlanta). Speaker: Michael R. Cohen, president. Institute for Safe Medication Practices. 142 graduates.

Mercer University Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics: 2:30 p.m. May 17, Sheffield Center, Cecil B. Day Campus (Atlanta), Speaker: Arthur B. Laffer Sr., economist and chairman of Laffer Associates. 162 graduates.

Mercer University James & Carolyn McAfee School of Theology: 11:30 a.m. May 17, Sheffield Center, Cecil B. Day Campus (Atlanta). Speaker: Rev. Charles F. Johnson, visiting instructor, McAfee School of Theology. 58 graduates.

Mercer University School of Medicine: 5 p.m. May 3, The University Center. Speaker: State Sen. Cecil P. Staton Jr., (R- Macon). 89 graduates.

Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law: 2:30 p.m. May 10, The University Center. Speaker: Janis F. Kearney, publisher, author, educator and literacy advocate who served as personal diarist to President Clinton (1995-2001). 142 graduates.

Middle Georgia College, Cochran: 8 p.m. May 9, NeSmith Stadium. Speaker: Robby Harless, general manager, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation – Brunswick Operations. 500 graduates.

Morehouse College, Atlanta: 8 a.m. May 18, century campus. Speaker: Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., Morehouse alumnus and CEO and president of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. 500 graduates.

Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta: 9 a.m. May 17, Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. Speaker: Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE USA. 66 graduates.

Morris Brown College, Atlanta: 4 p.m. May 10, John Henry Lewis Health, Physical Education, and Recreational Complex. Speaker: Perry Simmons Jr., pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Newark, N.J,. president of the General Baptist Convention of New Jersey, Inc., and moderator of the Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Association, Inc. 31 graduates.

North Georgia College and State University, Dahlonega: 7 p.m. May 2, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. May 3, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Speaker: TBA. 400 graduates.

Oglethorpe University, Atlanta: 9 a.m. May 10, Academic Quadrangle. Speakers: Muhtar Kent, incoming Coca-Cola CEO; Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Beverly L. Hall; Harald R. Hansen, retired chairman, president and CEO of First Union Corporation of Georgia. 249 graduates.

Oxford College: 10 a.m. May 10, Oxford College Green. Speaker: Robert Paul, dean of Emory College, 325 graduates.

Paine College, Augusta: 3 p.m. May 4, William Bell Auditorium. Speaker: Robert L. Bell, president of the Washington Bar Association and chairman of the Paine College Board of Trustees. 100 graduates.

Piedmont College, Demorest: 10 a.m. May 3, Johnny Mize Athletic Center. Speaker: The Rev. Stephen Peay, senior minister of the First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa, Wis. 312 graduates.

Reinhardt College, Waleska: 9:30 a.m. May 3, James and Sis Brown Athletic Center, main gymnasium. Speaker: Walter D. Broadnax, president of Clark Atlanta University. 169 graduates.

Savannah College of Art & Design, Atlanta: 6 p.m. May 31, Georgia World Congress Center (Sidney Marcus Auditorium). Speaker: Andre Leon Talley, editor-at-large for Vogue magazine. 150 graduates.

Savannah College of Art and Design: 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m. May 31 Martin Luther King Jr. Arena, Savannah Civic Center. Speaker: Andre Leon Talley, editor-at-large for Vogue magazine. 1,340 graduates.

Savannah State University: 10 a.m. May 10, Tiger Arena. Speaker: Maj. Gen. Walter Gaskins ( U.S. Marines). 219 graduates.

Shorter College, Rome: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 3, Winthrop-King Centre. Speaker: Carmen Acevedo Butcher, Shorter College's scholar in residence and associate professor of English. 410 graduates.

South Georgia College, Douglas: 9 a.m. May 7, front lawn. Speaker: James A. Bishop, member, Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. 185 graduates.

Southern Polytechnic State University, Marietta: 2 p.m. May 10, university gymnasium. Speaker: Lee Rhyant, executive vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin. 330 graduates.

Spelman College, Atlanta: 5 p.m. May 18, Cathedral at Chapel Hill. Speaker: Sheila C. Johnson, philanthropist, CEO of Salamander Hospitality, LLC, president and managing partner of the WNBA's Washington Mystics, a partner in Lincoln Holdings, LLC, and a global ambassador for CARE. 583 graduates.

Tift College of Education at Mercer University: 5:30 p.m. May 17, Sheffield Center, Mercer University, Atlanta. Speaker: Samuel T. King, 1984 alumnus and superintendent of the Rockdale County Public Schools. 166 graduates.

Toccoa Falls College: 10:30 a.m. May 17, Grace Chapel and Performing Arts Center. Speaker: George M. Durance, president of Ambrose University College in Calgary, Canada. 130 graduates.

Truett-McConnell College, Cleveland: 10 a.m. May 17, campus gymnasium. Speaker: Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle. 67 graduates.

University of Georgia, Athens: Undergraduates, 9:30 a.m. May 10, Sanford Stadium. Speaker: U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas. 3,500 graduates. Graduate school: 2:30 p.m. May 10, Stegeman Coliseum. Speaker: Michael B. Bunch, senior vice president of Measurement, Inc., a firm that develops educational Tests and assessment programs. 1,099 graduates.

University of West Georgia, Carrollton: 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. May 10, Campus Center Gymnasium. Speakers: Trent North, principal of Carrollton Middle School at 9 a.m.; Attorney J. Randolph Evans at noon; Attorney Cary Ichter at 3 p.m., and Carlianne Patrick Crotty, vice president of research and planning for the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce at 6 p.m. 700 graduates.

Valdosta State University: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 2 at Whitehead Auditorium in the Fine Arts Building; 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. May 3, Physical Education Complex. Speaker: None. 1,217 graduates.

Waycross College: 7 p.m. May 9, gymnasium. Speakers: Carol W. Hunstein, presiding justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, and Taylor Hereford, director of development and community services at the college. 95 graduates.

Wesleyan College, Macon: 10 a.m. May 10, Porter Auditorium. Speaker: Cassandra King, award-winning author. 92 graduates.

Young Harris College: 11 a.m. May 3, Hilda B. Glenn Auditorium. Speaker: Sally Bethea, executive director of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. 174 graduates.

— Compiled by Helen McCoy