For many in the 2024 graduating class of Augusta University, it was their first taste of a commencement ceremony.
They were high school seniors when COVID marred their spring – cancelling their proms and graduation ceremonies. And May 10 was their first chance to don a cap and gown and walk across a stage to receive a degree.
“We’re a graduating class like no other,” said Rakiyah Lenon, who played off the university’s tagline of “like no other” when she delivered the student speech at the 10 a.m. ceremony at the Augusta Convention Center. “Four years ago, when we stepped onto this journey, life was full of uncertainty.”
It was one of several ceremonies over the course of two days for the 1,584 students receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees from the university.
Drawing from her studies of journalism, Lenon gave inspiring words to her fellow graduates, encouraging them to share their stories and “go out there and make great news. The world is counting on us.”
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The ceremony marked the University President Brooks Keel’s final graduation season with the institution.
He opened it remarking on what a beautiful day it was – how the sun was shining and the birds were chirping. The announcement brought laughs because as people convened for the first ceremony,, the skies were overcast and threatened rain.
By the time, the degrees had been conferred, however Keel’s prophecy had been fulfilled.
“The sun is always shining on Augusta University commencement day,” he said.
Students from the College of Allied Health Sciences, College of Education
and Human Development, Hull College of Business and Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities,
and Social Sciences received their degrees at the 10 a.m. ceremony.
Students from the College of Nursing, College of Science and Mathematics and the
School of Computer and Cyber Sciences students received their degrees at a 2 p.m. ceremony. A graduate hooding and commencement ceremony was May 9.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
