Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2021
There will be double the festivities at Saturday’s Commencement as both the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 are honored.
“We were devastated last year when the pandemic shut down Commencement activities,” said President Susanna Baxter. “I promised the Class of 2020 that we would find a way to mark their achievements, and we are thrilled to be able to do that on Saturday.”
Registrar Amber Baldridge said she is expecting a combined group of more than 370 graduates. 
“That includes 116 from the Class of 2020 who RSVP’d and all 256 members of the Class of ’21,” she said.
The location has been moved to Callaway Stadium to accommodate graduates and guests from the two classes. With Thursday's change in CDC guidance, we are making two important alterations to graduation tomorrow: No tickets will be required for entry. Masks are only required to be worn by unvaccinated individuals. Vaccinated individuals may go mask-free.
The event also will be live streamed on the college’s website. kongtiao11.com/graduation
The ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. but the traditional processional will only include those carrying the Gonfalon, flags, class banner and Mace. However, there will be a recessional with the platform party, faculty and graduates.
Coral Douglas ’20 and Trevor McLemore ’21, winners of the Waights G. Henry Jr. Leadership Award, will address the graduates. This is the most prestigious annual honor given to a student by the college, and is based on excellence in scholarship, service and leadership.
A recorded musical selection will be presented by the LaGrange College Singers. Laura Dean ’00 will receive the Distinguished Service Alumni Award, while Dr. Robert Tucker and Jerry Wilkinson will be given honorary doctorates.
President Baxter will deliver a brief address before the conferring of degrees.
Dr. Maranah Sauter, Professor of Nursing and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, said graduates will be featured on the stadium’s Jumbotron as they receive their diplomas.
“We all have worked countless hours to make this ceremony meaningful for all of our graduates, but especially for the Class of 2020,” she said. “We are so excited that so many have chosen to return for their commencement.”
Although the weather forecast looks good for Saturday, guests are reminded to check rain plan on the college’s website Commencement (kongtiao11.com/graduation) just in case.
This year’s Baccalaureate service will be online at 5 p.m. today, with the Rev. Dr. Jessica Terrell ’03 as speaker. She is superintendent for the Central West District of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Watch it live at 5 p.m. at the college's Facebook page here. facebook.com/lagrangecollege
The college celebrated its employees Tuesday with a special video and cake on the plaza. Pictured are Theatre Arts Professor Kim Barber Knoll and Dr. David Ahearn, Professor of Religion, who have 25 years of service. Not pictured, Jeff Geeter, Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, was recognized for his 30 years at the college. All total, honored employees have logged more than 440 years of service on the Hill. Retiring professors Dr. Charles Kraemer, Psychology; Tracy Riggs, Theatre Arts; and Head Golf Coach Lee Richter also were spotlighted.
Julian Cameron, center, is congratulated by friends Ronald Youngblood and Lincoln Anderson Jr. after Julian rang the Chapel Bell.
Softball player and Cross-Country runner Natalie Glass, fourth from right, rang the Chapel Bell to celebrate her acceptance to the University of West Georgia's master's degree in criminology. She also got a paralegal job in Peachtree City. Basketball player Porter Law also rang the bell for his acceptance into the master's program in public administration at the University of Central Florida. Earlier this year, he celebrated his acceptance into the master's degree program in public administration at the University of North Florida. The ringing of the Chapel Bell is a new tradition offered only to graduating seniors to celebrate a first full-time, post-graduation job offer or admission to grad school. Congratulations to these students on their accomplishments: Kennedy Conner (Psychological Science), human resources specialist with Southwire in Carrollton, Georgia; Ashley Stell (Music Education), music teacher with Maxwell Elementary School in Thomson, Georgia; and Mary Bethany Boyd (General Studies), legal assistant with Rod Skiff, Attorney at Law in LaGrange.
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions. For in-person events, all COVID guidelines apply.
THROUGH MONDAY
LC Local Professional Virtual Interview Series: Carol Bailey, Human Resources
Carol Bailey is human resources manager at Trackmobile in LaGrange.
Baseball
The Panthers (22-7) set new school and conference records in sweeping Piedmont 23-2 and 14-1 at Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium last Saturday in the first round of the USA South Tournament. Senior designated hitter E.J. Churchich hit three home runs and had nine RBIs in the two games.
http://www.lagrangepanthers.com/sports/bsb/2020-21/releases/20210508zktsy9
CALENDAR
Sunday
Baseball at N.C. Wesleyan (USA South Tournament Championship best-of-three series), 3 p.m., Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Monday
Baseball at N.C. Wesleyan (USA South Tournament Championship best-of-three series), noon, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Baseball at N.C. Wesleyan (USA South Tournament Championship best-of-three series, if necessary), 3 p.m., Rocky Mount, North Carolina
In the headlines
LaGrange College honoring 2020 grads as part of graduation – LaGrange Daily News, May 8, 2021
http://lagrangenews.com/2021/05/08/lagrange-college-honoring-2020-grads-as-part-of-graduation/
Panthers batter Lions – LaGrange Daily News, May 11, 2021
http://www.lagrangenews.com/2021/05/11/panthers-batter-lions/
LaGrange College renovating business school over the summer – WRBL News, May 11, 2021
Category: College, Academics, Events, Faculty, Students
Keywords: commencement baccalaureate
