By Amanda Respess

O n Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10, Georgia College & State University conferred 1,425 degrees on both undergraduate and graduate students in the class of 2025. There were four spring commencement ceremonies – one for each of the university’s academic colleges – held in the Centennial Center on the Georgia College campus.

The class of 2025 included students earning bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees. Among the most popular majors for this graduating class are marketing, nursing, special education and exercise science. Members of the class hail from 16 different states, as well as several countries internationally.

There were 12 valedictorians in the Class of 2025, each having earned a perfect 4.0 final grade point average while completing their undergraduate degree.

Georgia College President Cathy Cox welcomed the graduates and their guests, and the university faculty, staff and students at the beginning of each ceremony, 

“Georgia College & State University empowers students to think independently, lead creatively and advance professionally,” Cox said. “With 34 undergraduate majors and 32 graduate programs – including two doctoral programs – that meet the needs of scholars, professionals and the dynamic workforce of our state, Georgia College & State University prepares students to make a difference in the real world, regardless of the major they choose, or the opportunities and challenges they may face.”

College of Health Sciences – Friday, May 9, 2 p.m.

The commencement keynote address for the College of Health Sciences commencement ceremony was given by Dr. Joy L. King (’10, ’15, ’17), a three-time Georgia College alumna and healthcare advocate.

King showed the audience a flashlight she brought with her to the podium. As the lights in the arena dimmed, King asked the audience to hold up their phone flashlights.

“Why a flashlight?” King asked. “Because each of you, no matter your discipline – nursing, public health, exercise science, athletic training and beyond – are stepping into a role where you will be asked to illuminate. You will shine light on the unseen, the misunderstood and the underserved.”

The student speaker was Maggie Glover, an exercise science major from Gray, Georgia. Glover was a standout player on the Georgia College & State University championship women’s and co-ed flag football teams, placing in the top three at the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Championship for two consecutive years.

College of Education – Friday, May 9, 7 p.m.

The keynote speaker for the College of Education commencement ceremony was the Honorable Nathan Deal, former Governor of Georgia. Gov. Deal’s late wife Sandra is an alumna, having earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgia College. GCSU is home to The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy.

For his address, Gov. Deal quoted Aristotle, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

“By virtue of the diplomas that are going to be conferred upon you today, you have evidence that your minds have been educated,” Deal said. “But what about your hearts? Have they been educated as well?”

“I can assure you that that is a question that you will be continuing to ask yourself for the rest of your career,” Deal told the audience of current and future educators.

The student speaker was Mark Higginbotham, Jr., who earned his specialist degree in educational leadership. Higginbotham is the assistant principal of Mattie Wells Elementary in Jones County, Georgia.

Higginbotham spoke with the perspective of a veteran teacher. “Entering into a career in education is fraught with challenges and naysayers," Higginbotham said. "I want my fellow graduates to know that they have the ability to show everyone that education is a worthwhile and rewarding endeavor.”

College of Business & Technology – Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m.

The keynote address for the College of Business & Technology ceremony was given by Cade Joiner, founder of Shred-X Corporation and member of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.

Joiner told the graduates, “This institution is nationally ranked, steeped in tradition, and is one of the top colleges in the South. GCSU is a major contributor to this region, this state and this nation, and now each of you are part of that unfolding legacy. Go into the world and create a future that not only serves you, but also honors this great institution behind you.”

Management Information Systems major Emily Chambers from Cumming, Georgia, was the student speaker. Chambers completed undergraduate research in artificial intelligence and served on the executive council of GC WIT Club. She encouraged her fellow Bobcats to embrace change.

“The real magic of Georgia College wasn't just what we learned from our textbooks or lectures, it was what we learned about ourselves,” Chambers said. “We learned to think critically, communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, reason ethically and lead with purpose. That's what makes this place different. The growth we experienced here wasn't just academic. It was personal. It was emotional. And it was powerful.”

College of Arts & Sciences – Saturday, May 10, 3 p.m.

For the final commencement ceremony, the College of Art & Sciences welcomed alumnus Christopher Eby (’11) as keynote speaker. Eby earned his law degree from the University of Chicago and is deeply committed to pro bono work, securing asylum for clients and advocating in criminal appeals and wrongful conviction cases.

The student speaker was Axel Hawkins, a first-generation college student from McDonough, Georgia, who served as President of the Student Government Association at Georgia College. Hawkins double majored in history and political science. She participated in the GC in DC program and interned with Senator Raphael Warnock in 2024. Hawkins is also Georgia College’s second ever Truman Scholar.

Both Eby and Hawkins brought messages of unity and shared experiences into their commencement speeches.

“From here on out, when you run into your fellow Bobcats in Georgia – around the southeast and across the country – the fact that you have a common bond with them as an alum will allow you to connect and appreciate each other, despite having a multitude of different interests and experiences,” Eby said.

“Collectively, the class of 2025 represents all corners of Georgia, all regions of the United States and nations as far away as India. Yet what brings us together is the education that we have received at this unique institution in the heartland of Georgia, an education centered in the liberal arts," Hawkins said.

Header Images: Commencement photos and video by the Office of University Communications Multimedia Team - Stacey Lumley, Chris Brown, Anna Gay Leavitt, Joshua Smith, Savannah Greene, Caroline Hubbard, Jaffeth Tequia and Caroline Wood. Live stream recordings of the spring 2025 commencement ceremonies can be found on the Georgia College & State University Facebook Page.