Celebrating the fall class of 2023 with cheer, Augusta University hosted a graduation ceremony at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 14.
With 941 fall graduates, the university congratulated 351 receiving undergraduate degrees.
Following the national anthem, Hull College of Business graduate Justin Goddard said he was incredibly grateful for the passionate and caring staff at Augusta University.
“The people here have really been so supportive of me and everything – from my academics to me in student leadership to me just as a person. I’m really going to miss everybody and all that I’ve done here,” said Goddard.
Goddard also said he hopes fellow graduates learn and remember the importance of embracing life’s various obstacles because everyone has to be willing to adapt.
“Embrace this process because most people will overestimate what they can do in a year and underestimate what they can do in four … embrace this process of life and do it with everything you have,” he said. “If you patiently embrace this process, you can become something you and everyone can be proud of.”
Continuing to inspire graduates, Keynote speaker Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House, then spoke on the value of education as it allows individuals to uplift others and better their community.
“What I want you to understand is that your education is not about success and it’s not about you,” he said. “You are to get an education so you can give back. You are to get an education so you can be a leader.”
Referencing Rosa Parks’ and Martin Luther King Jr.’s significant impact on uniting communities across the nation, Bullard advised students to be courageous citizens who have conviction in their values and beliefs.
“What we see today – this beautiful tapestry of diversity – came in part because Rosa Parks refused to give up … she changed the trajectory of our country because she was courageous,” he said. “Courage does not mean that you don’t have fear, but it does require you to face hard things.”
Telling students about one of his “amazing” elementary school teachers, Mrs. Adam, who helped him vastly improve his reading skills in just a single summer, Bullard said he believes anyone can be a hero by dedicating selfless time and care towards helping another.
“Mrs. Adam was courageous. Mrs. Adam used the power of her conviction to show compassion,” he said. “I believe that each and every one of you is a Mrs. Adam … I know that you are courageous. I know that you have the power of your convictions, and I know that you are compassionate.”
After Bullard, students took turns walking across the stage and collecting their diploma by the university’s respective deans as family members cheered with excitement.
In honor of a recently deceased student, the university’s College of Science and Mathematics presented a degree posthumously to the family of William B. Guy III, who was a chemistry and physics double major and honor student. Mother Debbie Guy accepted the award on behalf of her son who passed in mid-September.
Immediately following the acceptance of diplomas, Army ROTC and cybersecurity science program graduate James Mick took an official oath of office to receive a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
To end the ceremony, Larianna Goss, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music, sang the Alma Mater for the audience, prior to the university’s Arsenal Bell being rung three times to symbolize a celebration of the past, present and future.
Augusta University’s 2023 Homecoming Queen A’nasia Monford, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, said she experienced an array of emotions when walking across the stage to commemorate her last moments in her college journey.
“It feels so surreal – there’s a sense of relief and it’s also a little nerve racking, but a lot of excitement,” she said. “I had my best times here, and it’s crazy that it’s over.”
As she leaves AU, Monford said her biggest takeaway is understanding that life is not a sprint but rather a marathon.
Goddard said he would never forget his time at the university and learned that he could overcome and accomplish anything, if only he maintained the dedication to continue on the path.
“No matter where you start in life, regardless of your current or past identity, you can still be somebody,” he said. “It’s not just about yourself either. It’s about impacting someone else and being able to have something that you can be proud of because it truly affected others.”
Mother of Justin Goddard, Jenni, said she was incredibly proud to see her son overcome many trials and earn his degree to accomplish even greater goals in life.
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.
