Commencement

Grace Cote of Dahlonega is a biology major with a double minor in environmental science and Spanish language and culture. Her well-rounded experience at Georgia College & State University has laid the groundwork for her to eventually become a scientific editor and grant writer. But first, she’ll begin pursuing her Master of Science in scientific writing at Texas A&M University in the fall. “Knowing I’m comfortable with writing and love what I accomplished at Georgia College, I feel...

When Bailey Clark stepped on the Georgia College & State University campus for an orientation session prior to her freshman year in 2018, little did she know that a chance encounter would help shape not only her academic career path, but her future as well.“Georgia College has changed my life,” said Clark. “If I had gone anywhere else, I’d still be struggling along and trying to get into med school – a goal I’m not sure I ever really wanted.”Clark attended her orientation session and...

The Honorable Lisa D. Cook, Ph.D., returned to her roots and hometown in Milledgeville to give two inspirational keynote addresses at Georgia College & State University commencement ceremonies.Governor Cook is the first Black woman and fourth native-born Georgian to serve on the Federal Reserve Board in its 111-year history. She was also a faculty member at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and Michigan State University. “Dr. Cook has throughout her career consistently...

Q: What attracted you to Georgia College & State University? A: I came here because my best friend, Jesus Villamizar, who I've known since I was four years old, came to Georgia College because of a tennis scholarship. He told me to try it. He invited me to come here and visit him. I talked with Susie Ramage of the International Education Center and got scheduled for a campus tour. And I just took a chance, applied and got in. Georgia College is a very nice university. I really enjoyed...

  The first thing everyone asks Tanner Adams when they learn he’s graduating with a major in geography is “What are you going to do with that?”But for Adams, the bigger question is: “What can’t I do?”  It boggles his mind more students aren’t elbowing their way into the field.“For a lot of people, geography reminds them of a sixth grade map quiz,” Adams said. “But it’s so broad. There are so many things you can do with it. The problem, like my professor always said, is ‘You will never...

Q&A with Class of 2024 Graduate Macy Sheley, Exercise Science with minor in Public Health from Savannah, Georgiaby GCSU junior Kathryn PriceQ: Why did you choose exercise science as your major? A: I always knew throughout college and into my future career I wanted to work in athletics as someone with a major passion for exercise. My main intent is to help athletes themselves be able to perform better. I found out about Georgia College’s exercise science program through my sister, who...

You won’t find a senior more involved with Georgia College & State University museums than Caroline Cole, a graduating history major and English minor.Introduced to Matthew Davis, director of historic museums, at the Presidential Scholarship Competition in 2019, she’s worked at the museums since her second day of college.“I love getting to meet all different kinds of people,” Cole said. “We get people from all over the world and all over the country. So, I just get different types...

Story by J. Cale StricklandMany business students dream of becoming entrepreneurs and opening a business of their own; senior management major Gavin Incrocci has started 14.In February, Incrocci sold Alphack Studios, a company behind two video games, both of which feature cryptocurrency-earning systems. They also developed software solutions that allowed other indie games to implement these systems. Incrocci currently owns A.I.M. Solutions, which sells women’s beauty and fashion products,...

It all began with a library book for kids’ experiments for Cole Smith, Georgia College & State University graduating chemistry senior. The book, filled with bookmarks and $60 in library fines, was his pride and joy.He couldn’t imagine life without it. The book inspired him to seek opportunities for biotechnology research at Jasper County High School and led him to Georgia College’s Young Scientist Program—a six-week program for high schoolers to explore university-level research.“I...

Story by Liz NewlinAs Georgia College & State University gears up for its 2024 spring commencement ceremonies, the significance of the event reverberates beyond the campus. For many graduating seniors, this ceremony marks more than just the end of their academic journey; it represents a chance to reclaim a rite of passage denied to them in 2020. COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of high school graduates worldwide, robbing them of the traditional pomp and circumstance. There was...