To celebrate the fall class of 2022, Augusta University hosted graduation at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 17.
President of Fat Man’s Hospitality Group Brad Usry was the guest speaker at the event, and he highlighted how he and his family overcame different worries and hardships.
After giving examples from his personal life, such as overcoming the loss of his father, Usry encouraged students always to strive for their best and face challenges with fierce determination.
“I learned that in moments of hardship and tragedy, you must adapt. You must believe that you can overcome and then commit to do whatever it takes to move forward,” he said.
Prioritizing a business that cared about its employees and community during the pandemic, Usry said he knows generosity is one quality that will never make any man poor. He acknowledged the event as the end to an important journey, or the beginning to further education.
“Either way, I hope you leave here knowing that life is sure to throw you curveballs – don’t take it personally,” he said. “There’s no doubt, nothing pans out exactly as we plan. You are more than capable of adapting by believing in yourself and in your abilities so you can figure out a new path.”
From commitment and hard work, Usry told students he believes success is bound to come in all shapes and sizes, and when one needs to be reminded of such things to rely on surrounding loved ones.
As students were given their diplomas by the university’s respective college deans, family members and friends could be heard cheering as students took turns walking across the stage.
In honor of a recently deceased student, the Communication Department awarded a degree posthumously to Sarah Olivia Rish. Rish’s parents tearfully received the degree on behalf of their daughter who passed away in late September.
Immediately following, Army ROTC and military science program graduate Ryan Alexander Kulig took an official oath of office to receive a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Student speaker and communication graduate Aenea Clark said a few words to inspire her peers before the turning of the tassels portion of the ceremony. Clark spoke on her several accomplishments as a student during her time at the university, but said she did not want it to stop there.
“I want others to come behind me and think, ‘What else can I do? How can I make a difference?’” she said. “You may be the first in your family to become a doctor, start a business or even graduate college, but don’t be the last. Make sure you’re paving the way for others.”
Clark defined paving the way as being comfortable with feeling uncomfortable and focusing on progress rather than perfection. Although she felt her time at AU passed quickly, Clark said she is excited to embrace new changes with grace.
To end the ceremony, Takeisha Butts, who graduated with a bachelor’s in science psychology, sang the Alma Mater for the audience, and Clark rang the university’s Arsenal Bell three times to symbolize a celebration of the past, present and future.
Business Administration graduate Maximiliano Lozano said he was ecstatic to be done as personal struggles made the journey difficult at times.
Arletta Clark, Aenea Clark’s mother, said she was thrilled to see her daughter finally walk across the stage, and serve as a positive role model for her younger siblings.
“It’s indescribable … unreal when I look back over her journey and how she has persevered,” said Arletta Clark. “I’m just so proud of how she positively turned things around.”
To her, the ceremony is important because it served as another expression of love for family and friends to show her daughter how supported she was through it all.
“That’s what family is – we’re there for each other,” she said.
Kristy Hardesty, a non-traditional student and fellow business administration graduate, said she enrolled in college after having a family because she wanted to set an example for her daughters. She wanted them to be inspired to pursue higher education, even if it was later on in life.
“I had been in the career field for so long, and I just felt like I had gone as far as I could go in sales,” she said. “I wanted my daughters to see me walk.”
Earning a four year degree in three, raising a family and working a part-time job, Hardesty believes anyone can go back if they are dedicated enough.
“It just [depends] on how much grit you have, and how much motivation you have,” she said.
While Clark is considering attending graduate school in Florida, Hardesty said she found her passion to be in teaching, and was just accepted into the university’s graduate education program for the springtime.
After the ceremony, university faculty personally congratulated several students, and were even seen talking about graduate school and different internship opportunities for the near future.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
