Bainbridge State College (BSC) will hold a commencement ceremony on Saturday morning, May 11th at 10:00am at the BSC Student Wellness Center. University System of Georgia Chancellor Henry “Hank” M. Huckaby is the keynote speaker. Three hundred and seventy-five students are expected to graduate.

This will be the 39th graduating class for the college and the first class graduated under the new name of Bainbridge State College.The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved a request to officially change the name of the institution to Bainbridge State College in February. This approval came on the heels of approval from the Regents to grant BSC the new status of a four year college, thus the name change to reflect the new “state college” status.

A native Georgian, Henry “Hank” M. Huckaby, has a strong reputation in the areas of public higher education and state finance and budgeting. In May of 2011, the Board of Regents selected Huckaby as the University System’s 12th chancellor. He oversees 31 public colleges and universities with a $6.5 billion annual budget and 43,000 faculty and staff fulfilling the teaching, research and public service mission to 314,000 students. The Georgia Public Library System also is part of the University System.

“I am truly excited that Chancellor Huckaby has accepted Bainbridge State College’s invitation to serve as this year’s Commencement Speaker,” BSC President Richard Carvajal stated. “After embracing Governor Deal’s challenge to dramatically increase college completion rates in Georgia by the end of the decade, the Chancellor has taken the lead in challenging more of our students to reach the important goal of completing their degrees and certificates.” Carvajal continued, “ BSC is very proud of all of the students are graduating this year, and I know that our entire college community will benefit from the Chancellor’s message as he helps us celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s graduates.”

Other presenters include Regent Doreen Poitevint of the Second Congressional District; Dr. Eric Dueno, BSC Associate Professor of Chemistry; BSC student government president Shakeitha Lynn; and 2013 graduate Melissa Murrell. Founding President, Dr. Edward Mobley will lead the processional.
During the ceremony, BSC will launch plans for a year-long celebration of its 40th anniversary. Planned events include a Founder’s Gala to be held on October 5th featuring the Swingin’ Medallions, an art completion in area K-12 schools, BSC Week – a week-long celebration involving the campus and the community, and an alumni picnic and field day.