By Amanda Respess 

O ver 400 Georgia College & State University graduates walked the commencement stage Saturday, Dec. 13, at a ceremony held at the university’s Milledgeville campus. 

While the majority of degree-earners were bachelor’s grads, nearly one-third earned graduate degrees including master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees. 

“Commencement is one of our most joyful and meaningful traditions — a day when we come together to recognize the hard work, resilience and remarkable achievements of our graduates,” University President Cathy Cox said, addressing the crowd. 

“This diverse and accomplished group of students not only exemplifies excellence in their academic achievements, but also embodies the true spirit of a liberal arts education — curiosity, critical thinking and a commitment to making a meaningful impact in the world," Cox added. 

The commencement ceremony included graduates from all four of GCSU’s academic colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business & Technology, Education and Health Sciences. Popular undergraduate majors among the graduating class are nursing — including students who earned full-ride scholarships to help fill the state’s nursing shortage — marketing, management, psychology, biology and mass communication. 

Meanwhile, over half of the 132 graduate degrees earned were Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) for elementary, middle and secondary education. Other degrees earned by the graduating class include criminal justice, biology, accountancy, public administration and kinesiology. Among the master’s graduates was Baldwin County Sheriff Bill Massee, who earned his Master of Science in Criminal Justice some fifty years after receiving his undergraduate degree at GCSU in 1970. 

Five students earned doctoral degrees though GCSU’s Doctorate of Curriculum & Instruction program. 

The commencement keynote speaker was Dr. Laurie Peebles, associate professor of music therapy and winner of the 2025 GCSU Excellence in Teaching award. In her remarks, Peebles encouraged graduates to “find their joy” through curiosity, leadership and community. 

“If there is one thing Georgia College teaches exceptionally well, it is the value of connection,” Peebles said. “You learned here that collaboration makes you stronger, that kindness matters and that joy expands when it’s shared.” 

Peebles, who plays multiple instruments, delighted the audience when she produced her flute and played a song from Netflix’s blockbuster movie “K-pop Demon Hunters.” Peebles said the music in the hit movie was something that brought her joy this past year. 

Music therapy major Hailey Byers, who graduated Saturday, took several classes from Dr. Peebles. 

“GCSU is one of two colleges in the state that offer music therapy,” Byers said. “After visiting the beautiful campus and meeting the professors in the department, I knew there was no other place for me. They taught me how to find true independence in my field and prioritize my love and passion for music therapy.”

Header Images: December 2025 Commencement ceremony photos by Anna Gay Leavitt.