Posted on Friday, April 21, 2023
James “Jim” Thornton ’94, whose wealth of political experience includes nine years as the City of LaGrange’s Mayor, will present the keynote speech at the 192nd commencement ceremony at 8:30 a.m. May 6 at Callaway Stadium.
His transition from local to state government began in Nov. 2022, when he started working as the Director of Government Relations at the Georgia Municipal Association. Thornton’s position involves overseeing the association’s legislative advocacy team and representing the interests of its 537 member cities.
“My job includes lobbying members of the Georgia General Assembly and working directly with the Governor’s office and various executive branch agencies,” he said. “I also work with state officials to develop state policy that benefits all Georgia cities and their residents.”
He said his commitment to serving the needs of others comes from his parents.
“My mother’s devotion to service and to helping people navigate the various systems in which she worked was an inspiration,” Thornton said. “My father, who was a practicing attorney in LaGrange, always preferred to be on the side of the underdog. He subscribed to the philosophy that no matter what someone had done, they deserved a friend and an advocate.”
When choosing a career, he said he had some uncertainty about whether he would follow in the footsteps of his father.
“At various times I considered teaching, medicine, law and ministry,” Thornton said. “LaGrange College and the liberal arts tradition helped me both evaluate my interests and goals. I decided to go into law because I always thought I might pursue a career in public service, and law seemed like a great preparation.”
Thornton graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and psychology from LaGrange College in 1994 and a Juris Doctorate from Emory University School of Law in 1997.
His first job out of law school was as an associate attorney at the Law Offices of Ellis C. Smith in LaGrange. Thornton moved on to other roles in LaGrange that included being solicitor of the city’s Municipal Court and associate attorney for Kirby & Roberts, P.C. In 2001, he became the partner of Thornton & Graham, P.C., a general civil practice firm in LaGrange.
Thornton said his law experiences have taught him valuable skills that he uses in his line of work.
“I have learned through my law practice that every issue is multi-faceted, and there is rarely, if ever, a simple solution to a complex problem,” he said. “My law practice also gave me insight to the different concerns and motivations that people bring to a problem. My job, as their attorney and legal advisor, was to help solve the problem in such a way that it maximized value and minimized harm.”
Thornton started serving as a City Councilmember of LaGrange in 2010, and then was elected as the city’s mayor in 2014. During his tenure, he has spearheaded many of the community’s most transformative developments, including Sweetland Amphitheatre, The Thread and Great Wolf Lodge.
At LaGrange College, Thornton served as its general counsel for 10 years. He advised the President and the Board of Trustees on legal issues affecting the college.
He said his legal and political jobs in LaGrange helped prepare him for his current position.
“As the Director of Governmental Relations, I am expected to be familiar with Georgia law and how cities in Georgia operate,” Thornton said. “My law practice gives me familiarity with the former and my years of public service on city council and as mayor helps with the latter.”
Within the Georgia Municipal Association, he has served on the Board of Directors, Legislative Policy Council, and Federal Policy Council. Thornton also chaired its Municipal Government Policy Committee and completed one term as its president.
Outside of work, Thornton is actively involved in his church at LaGrange First United Methodist and has served as Chancellor of the North Georgia Annual Conference, making him the primary legal advisor to the United Methodist Bishop in Atlanta. He has also held chair and board member roles at local nonprofits that include LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce, United Way of West Georgia, West Georgia Health Foundation, Rotary Club of LaGrange and Troup-Harris County Library.
He and his wife, Corinne, reside in LaGrange.
Residential Quad.
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions
Friday, April 21
Senior Art Exhibition Reception
6 p.m., Lamar Dodd Art Center
Saturday, April 22
Walk ‘N’ Roll-A-Thon
9 a.m., LaGrange High School, 516 North Greenwood Street
Tuesday, April 25
Volunteering Abroad at an International Summer Camp
11:15 a.m., Corn Auditorium
Tuesday, April 25
You be the Chief Executive
11:55 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
Tuesday, April 25
Composition and Music Technology Student Recital
7 p.m., West Side Recording Studio
Thursday, April 27
Film and Media Arts Showcase
5:30 p.m., Beason Recital Hall
Student Profile: Dazia Potts
Like many freshmen, Dazia Potts ’23 arrived on the LaGrange College campus full of ambition, energy and talent, but without a sure direction. That's when LaGrange's practice of supporting students every step of the way made all the difference.
Men’s Lacrosse
LaGrange suffered a 14-5 loss to USA South-leading Piedmont in its final home game of the season on Wednesday, April 19. Senior Klein Woods' two goals led the way for the Panthers. He was joined by freshmen Luke Young and Wade Young with solo goals. Sophomore Ryan Comeau had a goal and an assist.
Prior to the game, the Panthers recognized seniors Isaac Bohrer, Joshua Hargrove, Jacob Jeffords and Jack Bryan.
Golf
LaGrange finished third at the inaugural Collegiate Conference of the South Championship Monday, April 17-Wednesday, April 19 in Dalton, Georgia. Freshman Jeremy Edmunds delivered a Top-10 performance as he shot a 75-76-77-228 to tie for 7-of-35. Freshman Martin Prlender finished in 12th with scores of 75-74-83-232. Freshman Garrett Armbrust rounded out the top performers at 79-83-75-237 to tie for 14th.
Softball
The Panthers earned a split as they dropped a 2-1 decision in the opener and held on for a 4-3 victory against Agnes Scott in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 15. Junior Sydney Rojo delivered a pair of RBIs and a triple to pace LC in the second game. On Sunday, LaGrange fell 11-2 and 11-1 in a doubleheader against Piedmont. Junior Hailee Palmer produced the lone RBI for the Panthers while freshman Abby Hefner was a perfect 3-for-3 in the second game. On Tuesday, LaGrange dropped 4-2 and 5-4 decisions at Maryville. Freshman Kelsea Moody anchored the Panthers' offense, going 2-for-3 with a homerun, run and three RBIs.
Prior to Sunday’s game, LaGrange recognized seniors Maggie White, Abbey Gardner, Jessica Coates and Reagan Gunter.
Freshman Claire Chamberlain received her fourth Rookie of the Week. In addition, the freshman player has been named Pitcher of the Week twice this season. On the year, Chamberlain is pitching to a 2.95 ERA with 71 strikeouts and just 13 walks in 99.1 innings of work. She is also pitching a .289 opposing batting average to go with 16 complete games and a pair of shutouts.
Baseball
LaGrange dropped 7-2 and 10-3 decisions in a doubleheader at Piedmont on Saturday, April 15. Freshman Brody Hollingsworth led the way for the Panthers as he went 2-for-5 with a double and RBI in the second game. On Sunday, the Panthers pulled out a 5-4 victory at Piedmont. Junior David Smigelski delivered three RBIs and a double to pace LC while senior Joe Ruth was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. On Tuesday, the Panthers hammered Birmingham-Southern by a 15-3 score. Junior Jared Aldridge went 3-for-5 with five RBIs and a run while Ruth was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, walk and three runs scored. Sophomore Jorge Fragoso went 3-for-5 with a double, RBI and two runs. Freshman Eduardo Peralta threw a complete game five-hitter, allowing just three runs while striking out six to pick up the win against the top team in the nation.
Men’s Tennis
The Panthers suffered a 9-0 loss against Piedmont on Friday, April 14. Senior Al Robertson delivered the most competitive match of the day as he took the opening set from Piedmont 6-4 before falling 6-2 in the second set. On Saturday, LaGrange dropped an 8-1 decision against Covenant. Freshman Michael Strydom pulled out a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Covenant at No. 2. Prior to Saturday’s game, LC recognized seniors Al Robertson and Luke Griffin.
Women’s Tennis
LaGrange took an 8-1 loss against Piedmont on Friday, April 14. Junior Leila Moss and senior Karson Troth pulled out an 8-7 victory at No. 3. On Saturday, the Panthers suffered a 9-0 loss against Covenant. The most competitive match of the day was at No. 6 where freshman Nina Fischer fell 6-1, 6-3 to Covenant. Prior to Saturday’s game, LC recognized seniors Kirsten Boyd, Hannah Miller and Karson Troth.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, April 21 – Softball at Wesleyan, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., Macon, Georgia
Friday, April 21 – Baseball at Maryville, 7 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee
Saturday, April 22 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Agnes Scott, 11:30 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Saturday, April 22 – Men’s Lacrosse at Pfeiffer, noon, Misenheimer, North Carolina
Saturday, April 22 – Baseball at Maryville, 2 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee
Sunday, April 23 – Baseball at Maryville, 2 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee
Monday, April 24 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Point University, 3 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Monday, April 24 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Point University, 3 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Tuesday, April 25 – Baseball at Emory, 3 p.m., Atlanta, Georgia
Category: Academics, Community, Students
Keywords: Graduation, History, Art
