It’s college commencement season, and thousands of Georgia college and university students are preparing to celebrate the completion of their higher education. Before they go, several notable speakers are set to help them begin the next stage of their lives.
The lineup of speakers at this year’s college graduations is varied, including state lawmakers, international business leaders and even a media celebrity. We’ve compiled a list of several schools, along with their commencement dates and speakers. Contact the school for more information, including ceremony locations and times.
April 30
University of West Georgia: Missy Dugan, president and CEO for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
May 6-7
Georgia Southern University: Stephen Harmon, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Learning Technologies Division in the College of Education and Human Development at Georgia State University; Carol H. Burrell, president and CEO of Northeast Georgia Health System
Georgia Tech: Mary Rockett Brock, philanthropist and co-owner of the WNBA Atlanta Dream women's basketball team; U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker; John Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
University of North Georgia (Dahlonega campus): State Rep. Lee Hawkins, R-Gainesville; Dr. Holly Carpenter, CEO of luxury cosmetics and skincare company HiQ Cosmetics; University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby; state Sen. Butch Miller
May 7
Clayton State University: Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle; Robert Ashe, chairman of the MARTA board
Georgia State University: Sue Desmond-Hellmann, CEO for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
May 9
Emory University: Dr. William Foege, the epidemiologist credited with devising the strategy to eradicate smallpox
May 10-11
Kennesaw State University: Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp; Thomas Currin Dean, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology; Dr. Belle Wheelan, President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; state Rep. Ed Setzler, R-Acworth.
May 12
Georgia Gwinnett College: Aimee Copeland, Georgia graduate student and amputee who survived flesh-eating bacteria infection
May 13
University of Georgia: Media mogul and television personality Ryan Seacrest; Maurice C. Daniels, dean of UGA's School of Social Work
May 14
Agnes Scott College: Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman
Interdenominational Theological Center: Connie Rice, civil rights activist and attorney known for her work in expanding opportunity and advancing multiracial democracy
Mercer University (Atlanta campus): Edward Schutter, president and CEO of Arbor Pharmaceuticals
Morris Brown College: U.S. Deputy Postmaster General Ronald A. Stroman
Oglethorpe University: Derreck Kayongo, CEO, National Center for Civil and Human Rights
May 15
Morehouse College: Strive Masiyiwa, head of ECONET International is one Africa's most influential businessmen and Zimbabwe's first billionaire
Spelman College: U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch; Stevie Wonder receives honorary degree
May 16
Clark Atlanta University: Retired astronaut Mae Jemison
May 21
LaGrange College: Environmentalist Laura Turner Seydel
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