Recap of AU's Spring 2023 Commencement ceremonies
By Rakiyah Lenon | Editor in chief
Augusta University recognized graduate and undergraduate degree candidates in the Spring 2023 Commencement ceremonies at the Augusta Marriott Convention Center on May 11-12.
The Graduate Hooding and Commencement took place at 6 p.m. on May 11. Brittany Kisner, chair of the Kevin and Brittany Kisner Foundation, served as keynote speaker, while Katie Foley, master of physician Aassistant degree candidate from the College of Allied Health Sciences, was the featured student speaker.
The undergraduate commencement was held the following day on May 12, with the graduates from the College of Allied Health Sciences, College of Education and Human Development, College of Science and Mathematics, and School of Computer and Cyber Sciences being recognized at the 10 a.m. session.
Jasmine Coleman, bachelor of science in education with a major in elementary education degree candidate from the College of Education and Human Development, was the student commencement speaker for this session. Doug Burks, founder and CEO of Security Onion Solutions, was the keynote speaker.
Degree candidates from the College of Nursing, Hull College of Business, and Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences were celebrated at the 2 p.m. session.
Wade Rakes, CEO of Peach State Health Plan, served as keynote speaker for the session. Rakes told the graduates to thank their parents, family, friends, faculty and staff for helping them to get them to that point.
“Remember, that your life will be influenced by the decisions you make,” he said. “I implore you to make decisions illicit that joy, that exhume kindness and explore the boundaries of your imagination.”
He added, “Whatever you do and where you go, don’t stop investing in you.”
Rakes also referenced Snoop Dogg’s speech at the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame where he thanked himself.
“Be sure, when times get tough, to look within and see the accomplished, beautiful, hardworking person that all of us in the audience get to see today,” Rakes said.
Isaiah Maddox, bachelor of arts in health, society and policy degree candidate from the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, was the student speaker for the afternoon ceremony.
Maddox congratulated his fellow students and encouraged them to remember the moments that led them through their journey.
“Appreciate today’s failures because they are tomorrow’s success,” said Maddox, who will be going the Army Reserves as a second lieutenant.
There were also a few surprises in store at commencement. Theodosia Williams, an art major receiving a bachelor's degree in fine arts, walked across the stage to receive her diploma on her 80th birthday, fulfilling a life-long dream to complete college education. AU President Brooks Keel gave her special recognition following her achievement.
“By walking across the stage today, Ms. Williams is living proof that if you don’t give up, you can achieve your dreams,” Keel said.
The audience joined Williams’s family and friends in celebrating her accomplishment.
The three commencement ceremonies are available to view on Augusta University’s YouTube channel.
The program for the Spring 2023 commencement can be viewed below:
spring-2023-commencement-program.pdf (augusta.edu)
Contact Rakiyah Lenon at rlenon@augusta.edu.
