On May 4 and 5, more than 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students from Georgia Southern University’s Statesboro, Armstrong and Liberty Campuses received degrees in three Spring Commencement ceremonies.
Georgia Southern President Jaimie Hebert, Ph.D., welcomed the graduates and their families to Spring Commencement and recognized the University faculty members who helped students along their academic journey.
“I extend to you my personal congratulations on your academic success,” said Hebert. “I would like to pay special tribute to our faculty, who are collectively the heart of this University and who are individually mentors of these graduates. Each graduate will have his or her own special story about a professor whose inspiration and interest influenced that student’s success not only in college, but also in ways that will be appreciated even more as the future unfolds. Caring faculty, committed to the success of students, is the hallmark of Georgia Southern University.”
Attorney General Christopher Carr
During the Statesboro Campus graduate ceremony held in Hanner Fieldhouse on May 4, Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr congratulated the Class of 2018 and challenged the group of roughly 800 students to define what success means to each of them.
“While today is about celebrating the successes of the past few years, starting tomorrow and for the rest of your lives you need to decide what success will mean to you,” he said. “I hope that everyday you are excited to get out of bed, to tackle the day and to serve others. Be passionate. I hope you give it your all. I hope you give of yourself. Because that is the best way to find success.”
That evening, W. Ray Persons, senior litigation partner at international law firm King & Spalding and Armstrong State University alumnus, applauded the more than 200 graduate and 600 undergraduate students at the Savannah Civic Center ceremony and shared that they would now join a long list of alumni from one of the finest academic institutions of higher learning in the U.S.
W. Ray Persons
Persons encouraged the graduates to practice their virtues, be honest and candid in their dealings with others and to always treat others the way they want to be treated.
“Do whatever you can to help those who are coming behind you,” he said. “Make your teachers proud.”
In closing, he implored, “Remember this: you have something no one can ever take away from you — your education.”
On May 5, cheers for approximately 2,700 undergraduates erupted throughout the Allen E. Paulson Stadium commencement ceremony on the Statesboro Campus. Hala Moddelmog, a Georgia Southern alumna who is the first female president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, delivered the opening address and encouraged graduates to hold firm to who they are.
Hala Moddelmog
“First and foremost, I want you to know that who you are is enough,” she said. “Embrace all that you are. Only you are equipped with your special gifts and passions.”
Moddelmog pressed the importance of curiosity, authenticity, empathy and risk-taking.
“Step out with confidence,” she said. “Be bold. Be proud of who you are and take a risk that might change your life. I promise you, you can do more than you think you can.”
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving more than 27,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. VisitGeorgiaSouthern.edu. For information on student housing or just housing needs in general. Please contact Darrell Finch at 912-682-7176 in Statesboro.
