Photos: Southern Polytechnic State University spring commencement

News

This will be the last time SPSU holds its own spring graduation ceremony before merging with Kennesaw State University.

Southern Polytechnic State University graduates Lisa Makori, Tymeckia Kendall and Thomas Hufstetler, left to right, clap as they are recognized during the school's 109th spring commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga., which is also the last spring commencement before SPSU merges with Kennesaw State University next year. Randy Brown Jr., an English and professional communication major and editor of student newspaper, delivered the keynote address, the first student commencement speaker to do so. David Tulis / AJC Special

Southern Polytechnic State University graduate Paulina Uscategui, from Bogota, smiles as she is recognized during the school's 109th spring commencement, which is also the last spring commencement before SPSU merges with Kennesaw State University next year, on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. Uscategui is an accounting major and also a mother. David Tulis / AJC Special

Southern Polytechnic State University president Lisa Rossbacher is shown on large monitors as the college holds its 109th spring commencement, which is also the last spring commencement before SPSU merges with Kennesaw State University next year, on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. David Tulis / AJC Special

Southern Polytechnic State University's Randy Brown Jr., right, an English and professional communication major and editor of student newspaper, is congratulated by outgoing president Lisa Rossbacher after Brown delivered the 109th commencement keynote address on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. Brown was the first student commencement speaker in the college's history. David Tulis / AJC Special

Randy Brown Jr., an English and professional communication major and editor of student newspaper, is the first student to deliver the keynote address at Southern Polytechnic State University on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. The college's 109th spring commencement is also the last spring commencement before SPSU merges with Kennesaw State University next year. David Tulis / AJC Special

Southern Polytechnic State University graduate Brent Michael Lewis, center, clenches his fist as he marches to the podium to accept his diploma during the college's 109th spring commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. David Tulis / AJC Special

Southern Polytechnic State University summa cum laude psychology major Jennie Lambert looks at the crowd during the school's 109th spring commencement, which is also the last spring commencement before SPSU merges with Kennesaw State University next year, on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. David Tulis / AJC Special

Randy Brown Jr., left, an English and professional communication major and editor of student newspaper, has faculty and students get loose before he delivers the keynote address at Southern Polytechnic State University on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. The college's 109th spring commencement is also the last spring commencement before SPSU merges with Kennesaw State University next year. David Tulis / AJC Special

Southern Polytechnic State University's holds its 109th spring commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. David Tulis / AJC Special

Southern Polytechnic State University president Lisa Rossbacher presides over the 109th spring commencement, which is also the last spring commencement before SPSU merges with Kennesaw State University next year, on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. David Tulis / AJC Special

Southern Polytechnic State University graduate Sharon Roberts smiles as she is congratulated during the school's 109th spring commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. David Tulis / AJC Special

Southern Polytechnic State University's Randy Brown Jr., left, an English and professional communication major, editor of student newspaper and the first student to deliver the keynote address, congratulates a graduate on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. David Tulis / AJC Special

Parents take photos as Southern Polytechnic State University holds its 109th spring commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. David Tulis / AJC Special

Southern Polytechnic State University's Stephania Germain, center, joins fellow Delta Sigma Theta sisters singing their sweetheart song after the school's 109th spring commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. David Tulis / AJC Special

Southern Polytechnic State University graduates, faculty and family mingle after the school's 109th spring commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. David Tulis / AJC Special

Southern Polytechnic State University seniors Stephen Dascall, center, and Megan Clark, left, move their tassels to signify graduation while Chiamaka Ebemuo, right, watches the college holds its 109th spring commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga. David Tulis / AJC Special

1/17

Southern Polytechnic State University graduates Lisa Makori, Tymeckia Kendall and Thomas Hufstetler, left to right, clap as they are recognized during the school's 109th spring commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Marietta, Ga., which is also the last spring commencement before SPSU merges with Kennesaw State University next year. Randy Brown Jr., an English and professional communication major and editor of student newspaper, delivered the keynote address, the first student commencement speaker to do so. David Tulis / AJC Special

Today's Gallery Headlines

Alerts

PHOTOS: Day 5 of spring training for the Braves

Metro Atlanta students write valentines to veterans

PHOTOS: Georgia teams dance way to state championships

PHOTOS: Day 3 of Spring Training for Braves

PHOTOS: Georgia's first snowfall of the year

PHOTOS: The Compass Rose Cafe serves up quality food with heaping side dishes of life skills

PHOTOS: People gather in downtown Atlanta to protest U.S. military action in Venezuela

PHOTOS: Thousands run AJC Polar Opposite Peachtree Road Race