Georgia Southern announces Spring graduates

Statesboro, Ga.—Georgia Southern University awarded degrees to its largest graduating class ever during two ceremonies this past May.

More than 2,200 undergraduates received their degrees at a ceremony held in Paulson Stadium and nearly 500 doctoral, specialist’s and master’s degrees were awarded their degrees in Hanner Fieldhouse the day before.

Georgia Southern alumnus and Chick-fil-A President and Chief Operating Officer Dan Cathy served as Saturday’s commencement speaker.

Cathy, who graduated from Georgia Southern in 1975, challenged students to keep up with progress, but to stay true to their values and beliefs.

“I would encourage you to always be students,” said Cathy. “Let’s stay relevant, let’s stay meaningful for the generation we are to serve today. … As responsible leaders know, they have to stay the course on the things that never change.”

The following students from Bainbridge and Decatur County have received degrees from Georgia Southern: Grayson Flowers, Ashley Crews and Richard Messersmith.

Emory announces spring graduates

The following area students received a degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., at its 166th commencement ceremony on May 9, 2011: Candi Calderon of Atlanta, daughter of Joseph Ray Dodson of Bainbridge, received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing of Emory University; and, Anna Register of Cairo, daughter of Dr. Garland Ashley Register Jr. and Laura Bell Register, received an Associate in Arts from Oxford College of Emory University.