Nearly 60 网曝吃瓜 graduates crossed the stage Friday, Dec. 13 during the Fall 2019 Commencement Convocation in Carl H. Smith Auditorium in David H. Bradford Hall.
Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III, presiding prelate of Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, gave the commencement address.
Walker warned the graduates to fight against the enemy called average.
鈥淵ou have not come this far and through this much to fall victim to average,鈥� Walker said. 鈥淎verage is the top of the bottom. You can鈥檛 be satisfied until you鈥檙e on top of the top. Average is easy. Average is accepted.鈥�
Megan J. McCoun, valedictorian, spoke about overcoming obstacles to reach graduation.
McCoun said leaving for college was hard to imagine sometimes while growing up on a farm in Henry County.
McCoun said the kindness and support she received, as well as small class sizes, helped her excel.
鈥淒r. (Suzette M.) Polson made me feel smart enough to be in her organic chemistry class,鈥� McCoun said.
President Brown announced interesting facts about the fall class of 2019: the class is comprised of students from 10 states and three foreign countries, the youngest graduate is 19 and the oldest graduate 鈥� Barbara White 鈥� is 80 years old.
Student Government Association President Keirra L. Donald congratulated the graduates.
鈥淎ll of the obstacles, hard work and perseverance have gotten you to this point,鈥� Donald said. 鈥淪oak it all in. You have reached the finish line.鈥�
Musical guest and The Voice Season 8 contestant MaKenzie Thomas brought the house down with musical selections 鈥淩ise Up鈥� and 鈥淚 Was Here.鈥�
President Brown gave each graduate their first $2 as 鈥淥ld Town Road鈥� by Lil Nas X filled the auditorium. Graduates reacted with laughter and excitement.