Commencement

Jacob Carter bristles at the idea that there are ‘math people.’ Carter, a graduating math major, aspires to teach Advanced Placement Calculus to high school students. He thinks the whole concept of ‘math people’ creates a false dichotomy: that there are math people and people who are not math people. “A lot of people, when I say I'm a math major, immediately launch into this series of horror stories about terrible math teachers and of bright red ink marked all over exams,” Carter said...

On college campuses in late spring, life experiences start coming full circle. Nadira Colbert, a valedictorian in the nursing program, closed one such loop during her pinning ceremony—the symbolic welcoming of soon-to-be-graduated student nurses into the nursing profession. During the ceremony, Colbert’s grandmother, Ingrid Perez, affixed the Georgia College & State University nursing pin upon her lapel signifying a new chapter to the life calling Perez had modeled for Colbert since...

Story and photos developed by University Communications. Environmental science major Michelle Murdock from Winder knew Georgia College & State University was the right choice for her, starting with the Bridge Scholars Program. She began her first year in a residential learning community with an intensive, five-week summer program designed to build a strong academic foundation.  “The Bridge Scholars Program’s resources such as mentorship, tutoring and career guidance taught me to be...

Since the pandemic, many students have experienced increasing rates of depression and anxiety. But this can be doubly felt by nursing students, who encounter stressors in both classroom and clinical settings.   Priya Polanco understands these pressures all too well. She’s a graduating nursing student, a member of the Honors College, valedictorian and student speaker at her commencement ceremony.   When she thought about her own transition from high school to college and then the nursing...

Story and top photo developed by University Communications. Caroline Pedersen From: Marietta, Georgia Major: Special Education Why this major: In high school, I got involved in a nonprofit organization called Miss Amazing. Even after my first year volunteering, I could see there is a need to build support for those with disabilities in the community. A large group of individuals do not feel that they are loved. After a few more years with the program, I wanted to continue to make individuals...

Graduating economics student, Brandon Pascali, is excited to step into his next educational opportunity—and for good reason. The undergraduate student is jumping into a macroeconomics Ph.D. program at Emory University in Atlanta, with a full tuition, $70,000-a-year scholarship. Pascali credits the offer to his hard work at Georgia College & State University, where he minored in mathematics, scored very well on the Graduate Record Examinations and served in the GC Nudge Unit—a behavioral...

Grant Van Den Berg What city are you from? I am from Pretoria, which is in the northeastern region of South Africa. What is your major? I’m getting my B.A. in history. How many years did you study at Georgia College & State University? I have studied here for four years. How does Milledgeville’s weather compare to South Africa? It gets much hotter and colder in Georgia than Pretoria. Pretoria also does not get so humid. What’s your favorite food at The Max? I like the burgers.  Which...

Story and photos developed by University Communications. Taylor Casey From: LaGrange, Georgia. Major: Special Education Why that major: When starting, I knew I had a heart for service and helping people and kids. This is what led me to teach! I was an early childhood education major and a middle grades education major, before going into special education. To say I didn't know who I wanted to teach was an understatement. Finally, I attended a major/career fair where I went to the College...

Story and photos developed by University Communications. Anna Marie Boughton From: Dallas, Georgia Major: Psychology Why this major: By the end of high school, I knew I wanted to study psychology to be a therapist and better understand people in general. A Careers in Psychology course gave me confidence I would find fulfilling work with this degree. Why Georgia College & State University: Both of my older siblings graduated from Georgia College. I wanted to attend a smaller school...

Story and photos developed by University Communications. Student-athlete Jesus Villamizar Abia of Valencia, Venezuela, took in the full Georgia College & State University experience by learning transferrable skills that will better equip him in life and well into his career. “GCSU taught me that no matter how overwhelmed you feel somedays, you can always smile, be the best version of yourself and do a great job in anything you do,” Villamizar Abia said. He’ll graduate with a Bachelor...