Goddard tells graduates they are a 'success story' at fall '23 commencement
By Rakiyah Lenon | Editor in chief
Augusta University held commencement ceremonies celebrating the accomplishments of the 951 fall 2023 graduates on Dec. 13-14 at the Augusta Marriott Convention Center.
A total of 351 undergraduate students graduated at the undergraduate ceremony on Dec. 14.
Justin Goddard, undergraduate student speaker, received a degree in business administration from the Hull College of Business. As he congratulated his peers, he reminded them to reflect on the journey that brought them to the day.
“Together, we’ve turned doubts into determination, challenges into triumphs, setbacks into success,” he said. “Class of 2023, this is our success story.”
Goddard, a YouTuber, is known for his videos showcasing campus life and other aspects of AU.
“Essentially, Augusta University became my canvas,” he said. “Through the support of faculty… and many friends across many organizations, I found strength in unity.”
He told the graduates to remember the importance of finding community, whatever their chosen path might be.
“True strength is found in embracing community,” Goddard said. “Success took on a new meaning for me once I realized that my purpose in life was to positively impact and influence others.”
With gratitude and thanks, he encouraged the class of 2023 to celebrate the journey of life.
“Embrace the process of life and do it with everything that you have,” said Goddard.
Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House and a best-selling author from Atlanta, was the keynote speaker for the undergraduate ceremony. He encouraged the new graduates to have courage, relating parts of the speech to the work of activists in the Civil Rights Movement, like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr.
“You have more power than you could ever imagine,” said Bullard.
The graduate hooding ceremony on Dec. 13 had 590 graduate students, making the graduate hooding ceremony one of the largest the university has had.
Stephanie Stuckey, chair of Stuckey’s Corporation, was the keynote speaker on Dec. 13. Deepali Naina Giri, a master’s of science graduate from the College of Nursing, was the student speaker.
Larianna Goss, who received a bachelor’s degree in music, sung the national anthem and alma mater at both events.
President Brooks Keel, who expressed gratitude for those graduating, said, “Thank you for choosing this university to receive your education.”
Below is a series of photos from the fall 2023 undergraduate commencement ceremony by Rakiyah Lenon and Brionna Law.
Link to graduate hooding commencement ceremony for fall 2023:
Link to undergraduate commencement ceremony for fall 2023:
Contact Rakiyah Lenon at rlenon@augusta.edu.
