Augusta University (AU) has recently announced that Sonny Perdue, University System of Georgia (USG) chancellor, and Brooks A. Keel, AU president, will be the keynote speakers for the undergraduate and graduate commencements.
This will be Keel’s last commencement speech since he announced his retirement in the fall. Since the fall of 2015, he has overseen AU ceremonies where over 18,000 students have graduated.
MORE: Columbia County candidates convene for public forum
Keel will be the keynote speaker during the graduate hooding and commencement ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, May 9 at 6 p.m. in the Augusta Marriott Convention Center.
“Serving as the keynote speaker at my final graduate hooding and commencement ceremony is a great honor,” said Keel. “Since the day I set foot on campus, I have been so proud of the academic achievements, community engagement, and career success of our students and alumni. As a two-time graduate of our legacy institutions, I want this graduating class—like all of our classes—to realize they can do anything they set their minds to with a degree from Augusta University.”
Perdue has been the chancellor at USG since 2022, and he currently oversees 26 public colleges and universities with over 344,000 students. He has served two terms as Georgia’s governor, chaired the Senate Higher Education Committee, and served as the Senate President Pro Tem.
In his current role, Perdue supports the Board of Regents through leadership in analyzing, monitoring, and anticipating higher education trends and developments and strategic planning for the future of USG.
Perdue will be the keynote speaker for both commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, May 10.
“I am honored to share the stage with Chancellor Perdue at this year’s ceremonies,” said Keel. “His passion for education has been evident since he began his role, and I’m excited to hear his words of wisdom he’ll instill in the Class of 2024.”
