Georgia Entertainment Scene
Georgia Entertainment Scene

Watch Jennifer Nettles sing part of her commencement address to Agnes Scott College students

Jennifer Nettles addresses the graduates at Agnes Scott College on May 12, 2018. Photo: Elizabeth Kiss

Credit: Elizabeth Kiss

Credit: Elizabeth Kiss

Jennifer Nettles addresses the graduates at Agnes Scott College on May 12, 2018. Photo: Elizabeth Kiss
By Melissa Ruggieri
May 14, 2018

BY MELISSA RUGGIERI/AJC Music Scene

Jennifer Nettles returned to her alma mater on Saturday to give the commencement address – with her own musical twist.

Nettles, who vaulted to fame as half of Sugarland, is a 1997 graduate of the Decatur-based women’s college. In her address, she spoke of the importance of chasing your dreams and choosing love over fear.

Then she reached into her wheelhouse and gave a musical salute by singing a traditional Irish prayer.

Nettles and Sugarland partner Kristian Bush kick off their "Still the Same" tour May 25 in Augusta. The tour will roll through Atlanta on Aug. 3 with a show at Infinite Energy Arena.

About the Author

Melissa Ruggieri has covered music and entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 2010 and created the Atlanta Music Scene blog. She's kept vampire hours for more than two decades and remembers when MTV was awesome.

Follow Melissa Ruggieri on facebookFollow Melissa Ruggieri on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Penelope Road members James Kopp (from left), Charles Eastman, Koan Roy-Meighoo, Anthony Smith and Max Moore hang at Eastman’s home on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Brookhaven. They’ll perform three headlining shows at venues across Atlanta this month. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

AJC INTERVIEW

How Atlanta’s Penelope Road, with retro and Gen-Z flair, sped into stardom

Penelope Road creates a contagious sound and style that‘s just as centered in the past as it is in the present. They’ll end the year with three hometown shows this month.

Sandy Springs entrepreneur faces ‘Shark Tank’ sharks with collectible stockings

ABC’s “Shark Tank” gave Kate Stice Stewart a gift she’s been seeking for years: a coveted spot on the show.

‘Dark Sisters’ a feminist gothic tale about the evils of patriarchy

Kristi DeMeester delivers a rousing gothic horror story that spans from the 1750 witch hunts to an affluent preacher’s stronghold on the same community in the 21st century.

The Latest

ajc.com

What movies made in Georgia have made the most money since 2008?

‘Ride Along’ producer Will Packer promotes ‘healthy arrogance’ in new book

Check out three new reality shows with Atlanta ties

Featured

A MARTA operator is seen inside the control room of one of the new MARTA trains during the unveiling of these trains on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

MARTA chief says new train cars give smooth, quiet ride

Interim CEO Jonathan Hunt told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s editorial board he is focused on project delivery, which he said is key to winning back public trust.

God’s Acre: Former Native American boarding school reveals complex history

A Native American boarding school established by Moravian missionaries in North Georgia in the early 19th century reveals a complicated and compelling history.

Why Midtown’s holiday lights display is a little less vibrant this year

Midtown Bright, the annual winter lights display, was cut back this year.