Georgia College & State University (GCS) conferred nearly 350 degrees on both undergraduate and graduate students in the class of 2024 Dec. 14 in the Centennial Center on the Georgia College campus.
The December graduating class included 224 undergraduate students earning bachelor’s degrees and 101 students earning master’s degrees. The most popular majors among the graduating class were nursing, management, psychology, biology and mass communication.
Members of this graduating class hail from six different states, as well as several countries internationally.
Georgia College President Cathy Cox welcomed the graduates and their guests, as well as the university faculty, staff and students.
'Many of the students participating in our ceremony today had their educational and professional journeys interrupted four years ago in 2020, a year marked by unprecedented challenges and unforeseen disruptions,' Cox told the class of 2024, referencing the COVID-19 pandemic.
'Your strength, determination and perseverance during that time speaks volumes about your character and your ability to overcome adversity ... You have made it through a lot of challenges and there are good days ahead.'
The commencement keynote address was given by Prof. Jehan El-Jourbagy, J.D., associate professor of Business Law and Ethics and recipient of the 2024 GCSU Excellence in Teaching Award.
'Be indispensable. Ask questions. Seek the truth,' El-Jourbagy told students.
'That’s it. The secret to life.'
This December ceremony marked the 100th commencement ceremony planned and presided over by University Registrar Dr. A. Kay Anderson. During her 17 years at Georgia College, Anderson orchestrated 99 commencements, including one year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when Anderson organized 47 separate ceremonies to accommodate social distancing protocols for hundreds of graduates and their guests.
– Contributed