Former governor Nathan Deal and University System of Georgia Regent Cade Joiner served as commencement keynote speakers on May 9 and 10 as Georgia College & State University conferred 1,425 degrees on both undergraduate and graduate students in the class of 2025. 

The keynote speaker for the John H. Lounsbury College of Education commencement ceremony May 9 was the Hon. Nathan Deal, former governor of Georgia. Gov. Deal’s late wife Sandra is an alumna, having earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgia College. GCSU is home to The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy.

For his address, Gov. Deal quoted Aristotle, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

“By virtue of the diplomas that are going to be conferred upon you today, you have evidence that your minds have been educated,” Deal said. “But what about your hearts? Have they been educated as well?”

“I can assure you that that is a question that you will be continuing to ask yourself for the rest of your career,” Deal told the audience.

The keynote address for the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business & Technology ceremony May 10 was given by Mr. Cade Joiner, founder of Shred-X Corporation and member of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.

Joiner told the graduates, “This institution is nationally ranked, steeped in tradition and is one of the top colleges in the South. GCSU is a major contributor to this region, this state and this nation, and now each of you are part of that unfolding legacy. Go into the world and create a future that not only serves you, but also honors this great institution behind you.”

There were four spring commencement ceremonies – one for each of the university’s academic colleges – held in the Centennial Center on the Georgia College campus.

The class of 2025 included students earning bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees. Members of the class hail from 16 different states, as well as several countries internationally. There were 12 valedictorians in the class of 2025, each having earned a perfect 4.0 final grade point average while completing their undergraduate degree.

“Georgia College & State University empowers students to think independently, lead creatively and advance professionally,” said Georgia College President Cathy Cox.

“With 34 undergraduate majors and 32 graduate programs – including two doctoral programs – that meet the needs of scholars, professionals and the dynamic workforce of our state, Georgia College & State University prepares students to make a difference in the real world, regardless of the major they choose, or the opportunities and challenges they may face.”

Please see attached photos of the commencement platfrom parties and keynote speakers. Photos courtest of Georgia College & State University.