Approximately 4,300 degrees conferred during Georgia Southern’s 2022 Spring Commencement ceremonies | Newsroom

Could 16, 2022

Final week, roughly 4,300 undergraduate and graduate college students from Georgia Southern College’s Statesboro, Armstrong and Liberty campuses acquired affiliate, baccalaureate, masters, specialist and doctoral levels in 5 Spring 2022 Graduation ceremonies.

Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero welcomed the graduates and their company to the ceremonies, held on the Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro on Could 9, 10 and 11 and on the Savannah Conference Middle on Could 13.

“Graduates, I don’t have to inform you about your distinctive faculty journey, which has been difficult for all of us,” mentioned Marrero on the opening ceremony. “I’m very happy with how collectively we’ve persevered. And at this time, you deserve nice recognition. This can be a momentous day for Georgia Southern College and for all of you. You’re a part of historical past.” 

Earlier than concluding, Marrero requested the graduates to applaud their huge community of assist, together with household, pals and Georgia Southern’s college, the “hallmark of the College.”

Audio system, all of whom are Georgia Southern alumni, included:

• R. Christopher Rustin, DrPH, M.S., REHS (’04, ’13), deputy commissioner for the Georgia Division of Public Well being, public well being administrator for the Chatham County Well being Division 

• Travis Greene (’06), pastor and an award-winning gospel artist

• Mike Davis (’01), model marketer, tv producer and media govt for NASCAR

• Shawnte N. Craig (’03), weapon system sustainment analyst for the US House Power on the Pentagon 

• Deirdre Dixon (’98), CEO of the American Pink Cross of Georgia 

“As I look out throughout this sea of soon-to-be graduates I can’t assist however remind myself that each one of you will have attended faculty throughout probably the most difficult instances we’ve ever confronted as a nation,” mentioned Rustin. “Nevertheless, you all made it. Congratulations. You’re sitting right here as a testomony to perseverance and a powerful want to realize your targets.” 

On becoming a member of the workforce, Rustin supplied timeless recommendation to the scholars: Gown for the job you need, not the one you will have. Look any individual within the eye when speaking to them and shake palms firmly. Individuals who do the onerous work with out complaining get seen. Have good time administration expertise. Grow to be an professional in your discipline. Have diplomacy. Follow true communication with efficient talking and writing expertise. Be versatile, search for work-life stability, and discover a mentor to point out a path to all of those. 

“Simply know this,” he implored. “Alongside the best way you’ll fail at one thing. All of us fail at one thing. I used to be as soon as advised by a mentor that in case you haven’t failed at one thing, you haven’t been profitable at one thing.”

On Tuesday, Greene addressed the gang with awe.

“This can be a large, large deal,” he mentioned. “You guys sitting on this discipline at this time overcame a lot. I’m not simply taking a look at graduates, however I’m taking a look at overcomers. Survivors. You guys actually went to varsity via a pandemic and also you overcame it. I’m personally so happy with you.”

Then he advised a narrative about one of many biggest days of his life. A Georgia Southern professor requested him what he wished to do after commencement and he advised her he’d pursue a grasp’s in enterprise. Instinctively, she felt that wasn’t his calling. “It is advisable to do what you might be enthusiastic about, what’s in your coronary heart, what you’ll do free of charge,” she advised him. 

“Girls and gents, I’m begging you,” Greene shared enthusiastically. “I got here all the best way again to Georgia Southern College to beg you to comply with your ardour. Don’t fear in regards to the cash. For those who comply with your ardour, cash will discover you. Alternative will discover you. Seek for the factor that you’d do free of charge.”

The next day, Davis honed in on 5 key ideas he’s realized since graduating, from an preliminary unsuccessful job search to changing into a NASCAR media govt. 

“Primary, you might be your individual finest self advocate,” he mentioned. “One of the best ways to advocate for your self, nevertheless, is thru your work and never via your phrases. Quantity two, I need you to know to deal with day by day prefer it’s a 24-hour job interview. Deal with day by day as if the place and the pay needs to be earned. It prevents complacency and it retains you humble.

“Quantity three, by no means take your self too critically. A humorousness just isn’t solely good in these attempting instances, however it’s essential. Quantity 4, encompass your self with individuals who love you sufficient to be trustworthy with you. The worst factor you are able to do is have individuals who inform you what you need to hear, however not what it’s essential hear. Lastly, graduates perceive that no person owes you something. You could have alternatives earlier than you. The individual most liable for your success or failure is the individual that you see within the mirror.”

In Savannah, Craig kicked off the morning ceremony. 

“Firstly, be your genuine self,” she advised the graduates. “It is rather straightforward to seek out ourselves by our reputation, our levels, household, and so on. Nevertheless, you have to be true to you so as to totally work together on this world.” 

Secondly, she inspired them to be clear about their journeys, as they don’t understand who they might encourage. She additionally requested them to embrace challenges, and to let life’s curler coasters be educating instruments that strengthen them bodily, mentally or emotionally.

“Lastly, I’d actually encourage you to seek out your ‘why,’” Craig concluded. “Choose these careers that basically communicate to who you might be, and can inspire you. What speaks to your coronary heart? If you find yourself trustworthy with your self about that reply, I promise you that can be your true reward.”

Georgia Southern College, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 establishment based in 1906, affords roughly 140 totally different diploma packages serving virtually 27,000 college students via 10 schools on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and on-line instruction. A frontrunner in increased training in southeast Georgia, the College supplies a various pupil inhabitants with professional college, world-class scholarship and hands-on studying alternatives. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who function accountable students, leaders and stewards of their communities. Go to GeorgiaSouthern.edu.