FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 14, 2010

Contact:  Robert Preston, Jr.,
              912.260.4276
              robert.preston@sgsc.edu

Dr. Cottingham to SGC Grads: “It’s Your Time to Be Counted”

Over 140 graduates walked across the stage and received their diplomas at the 81st Annual Commencement Exercises at South Georgia College on Thursday, May 6. An estimated 1,000 friends, family and community dignitaries gathered on the front lawn to watch the celebration of academic achievement.

Dr. James A. “Jim” Cottingham, SGC’s Vice President for Student Affairs, served as the keynote speaker for the event. At the end of June, Dr. Cottingham will bring to a close a 32-year career at South Georgia College. His affiliation with the college, however, goes back much farther. Dr. Cottingham lived in Davis Hall for six years while his father, Dr. Tom Cottingham, was a faculty member at SGC. Jim moved with his family to North Carolina before returning to Douglas while he was in high school. He eventually graduated from Coffee High School and SGC before transferring to Appalachian State University. In 1978, he accepted a position with SGC and has been on campus since then.

In his remarks, Dr. Cottingham recalled words spoken at SGC commencement addresses in the past from a variety of speakers, including former Governor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller, Smithsonian Institution Secretary Dr. Wayne Clough, former SGC and Florida State University head football coach Bobby Bowden, and Oscar Street, the first African American student to graduate from SGC.

As Dr. Cottingham closed his address, he related a story told to him by his daughter, Katherine, who is a fourth grade teacher at Westside Elementary School. She was recently discussing the 2010 census with her students, most of whom were nine years old. Katherine told her students that they weren’t around for the last census. This time, though, they were and it is their time to count. Dr. Cottingham left the graduates with the same sentiment. “This is your time to be counted. And we’re so glad that you’re being counted. We’re so glad you’re here. We’re glad that you’re rejecting rejection. And we urge you to keep on keeping on,” he said.

After his comments, Dr. Virginia Carson, SGC President, surprised Dr. Cottingham with a special recognition. Douglas Mayor Jackie Wilson, who was in the audience, had signed a proclamation that designated Thursday, May 6, 2010, as Jim Cottingham Day in Douglas. Dr. Carson also announced that the SGC Foundation had named a scholarship in Dr. Cottingham’s honor, which will be awarded in Fall 2011.

Following Dr. Cottingham’s acknowledgment, Dr. Carl McDonald, SGC’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, presented the graduates. Thereupon, Dr. Carson conferred the degrees. The graduates, their families, friends, and SGC faculty and staff then enjoyed refreshments on the front lawn.

Click here to view an online video of Graduation 2010

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty.