Joint Commencement was a labor of love -威尼斯人娱乐城

Posted on Thursday, May 20, 2021

Students carrying class banners for 2020 and 2021 lead the processional

Organizers of this year’s Commencement ceremony May 15 said the celebration at Callaway Stadium could not have gone off better.

“It was a beautiful day,” said Dr. Maranah Sauter, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. "The weather was perfect, and we were able to get everyone in.”

Because of earlier COVID protocols, tickets and masks for the event were mandatory, with each student allowed five tickets. Two days before the event, the CDC relaxed mask guidelines, clearing the way for all vaccinated individuals to go maskless.

Dr. Susanna Baxter was thrilled to announce the changes.

“No tickets will be required for entry,” she said. “You may have as many guests as you want to cheer you on. Masks are only required to be worn by unvaccinated individuals.”

Although months had been spent devising a safe Commencement plan for the classes of 2020 and 2021, no one minded that work went out the window.

“It was such a blessing to see so many family members and friends able to attend,” Dr. Sauter said. “It made the day all the more special.”

She expressed her appreciation for the community partners who worked with the college to make the event happen.

“Troup County Parks and Recreation helped us secure the facility,” she said. “And the Troup County School System really stepped up to the plate to assist us.”

Chip Medders, Assistant School Superintendent and Director of Operations, offered the use of their stage, but then had it delivered and assembled.

“LaGrange High School offered us its brand-new athletics facility as a rain plan location,” Dr. Sauter said. “Principal Alton White and Assistant Principal Jamie Bozeman met with our team several times to work out a very detailed rain plan that included arrangements for sound and live-streaming equipment. They could not have been more gracious and accommodating.”

There is some talk of using the stadium for future Commencements.

“The designated entrances for traffic flow and so much more room made it a great location,” she said. “And of course, all the extra parking was an added plus.

She especially appreciated the use of the stadium’s Jumbotron.

“Even those parents sitting in the upper bleachers could see their students cross the stage on the Jumbotron. “

For a complete story on Commencement, visit here. A gallery of photos from the day can be viewed here and the Class of 2021 gallery can be found here.

A video of the ceremony can be viewed below.

Campus notes 

Commemorative bricks from the old patio next to Smith Hall are still available, but only for a limited time. Cost is a gift of $25 or more per brick. For a $35 gift, the college can ship domestically. To make a qualifying gift and receive a brick, go here and put “brick” in the comments or call the LC Development Department at 706-880-8244.

Summer classes begin May 25 but it is not too late to register. Visit here for more information. l0jb.kongtiao11.com/summer

This is the last weekly @lagrange for the academic year. We will go to a monthly schedule until classes resume in August.

Sports 

Baseball

The Panthers (24-8) captured their fourth-straight USA South Tournament championship Monday with a 9-4 win at N.C. Wesleyan in the deciding game. Senior designated hitter E.J. Churchich was the tournament MVP after batting .458 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in the tournament. LC had 10 players named to the all-conference teams. Sophomore shortstop Cael Chatham, junior third baseman Joe Ruth and junior outfielder McKinley Erves were selected to the all-conference first team. LC will learn its destination for the NCAA tournament on Sunday. The DIII selection will stream on NCAA.com beginning at 10 p.m.

http://www.lagrangepanthers.com/sports/bsb/2020-21/releases/20210517xsa6kl