Actress Karan Kendrick, who grew up in Fort Valley, will be the commencement speaker at Fort Valley State University.
Kendrick has starred in movies and television shows that top the box office and Nielsen rankings, from “The Hunger Games” and “Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail” to CW's “The Originals,” and “Greenleaf” on OWN.
Kendrick will speak during ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 6 at the college Health and Physical Education Complex, 1005 State University Drive in Fort Valley. Among the graduates will be valedictorian Abrahana James, a business major; 20-year old biology major Deja Clay, earning her degree in only two years after graduating from high school with 44 credits; and 70-year old Matt Brown, a former R&B recording artist who toured with the superstars of the 50s and 60s. Clay is the youngest graduate in the class, while 76-year old Roger Green, graduating with a bachelor's degree in psychology, is the oldest.
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"Karen Kendrick is proof that greatness comes from Fort Valley," said Dr. Paul Jones, president. "She represents exactly the type of experience we expect for our students-emerging from Fort Valley prepared, confident, and determined to make their mark. Like Karen, the hundreds of brilliant and talented students who will walk across our stage have everything it takes to change the world through the arts, sciences, business, education, and military service, among other disciplines."
Kendrick graduated from Spelman College with a bachelor's degree in drama and dance then earned an MBA in management from Wesleyan College in Macon.
She recently launched the Girls Empowerment Tour in support of the Oscar-nominated film “Hidden Figures.” Through the tour, select students across the country have the opportunity to join Kendrick in a discussion on how to choose excellence at every step on their journey, and how that choice can change the world.
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