By CAROL HEARD

BC Communications Specialist

Bainbridge College’s commencement will be on Saturday, May 12, which is the first time the graduation ceremony will be held on the weekend.

For years, the college’s commencement has been held on Thursday evenings, which made it difficult for families to attend the momentous occasion.

Bainbridge College President Richard Carvajal said the change to Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m. at the Student Wellness Center should be a welcomed one for loved ones of graduating BC students who wish to travel to the area and/or who need to request time off from their jobs.

Preliminary figures indicate approximately 325 students will graduate from BC this semester. Those projections are in line from last year, when 358 BC students were awarded degrees.

Carvajal also announced that Steve Wrigley, the executive vice chancellor for administration for the University System of Georgia, will be the commencement speaker.

 

“I am confident that he will inspire our graduates,” Dr. Carvajal said.

Wrigley was appointed to his present position last July by Chancellor Hank Huckaby. Prior to that appointment, Wrigley was interim vice president for public service and outreach as well as vice president for government relations for the University of Georgia and a longtime UGA senior staff member. He is a veteran of state government under former Gov. Zell Miller, serving as his chief of staff from 1993-98.

Following Wrigley’s tenure with Gov. Miller, he was the first director of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s International Center for Democratic Governance. In 2000, he became UGA’s vice president for government relations, overseeing federal, state and local government relations for UGA. He returned to the Carl Vinson Institute as its director while continuing his role as vice president for government relations at UGA.

Several traditions were started last year as the 2011 Commencement ushered in a new president and a new home for graduation at BC’s Student Wellness Center. The traditions that will continue this year are the presentation of the Outstanding Graduate Medallion and a slide show highlighting the graduates’ tenure at Bainbridge College.

A bagpiper leading the processional and recessional was a tradition several years ago but was stopped. Last year marked its return.