FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 8, 2011

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

SGC Celebrates 82nd Commencement Exercises on May 5

“We are delighted to have so many guests with us today at our 82nd Commencement Exercises, including the family and friends of our graduates, and other invited guests. This day really is the highlight of our academic year. We are very proud to have a record number of graduates and honor these individuals who are taking part in this time-honored tradition,” stated Dr. Virginia Carson, SGC President, as she opened South Georgia College’s 2011 graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 5 on the lawn in front of Peterson Hall. Led by the Mercer University Pipes and Drums, 150 members of the 259 students who comprised the Class of 2011 marched and took their seats in front of the stage as they waited to hear their names called, signaling the end of a long journey highlighted by hard work and sacrifice.

Susan Driscoll, co-founder of ignition, inc., served as the commencement speaker. Ignition is a marketing firm with offices in Osierfield, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Germany and Italy. A savvy marketer and enterprising business leader, Driscoll, a native of Irwin County who returned home to set up the administrative offices of her international company, founded McWhorter Driscoll, LLC, in 1997, along with her business partner and husband, Mark “Dill” Driscoll. During Driscoll’s remarks, she told of the path she took that led her to co-found ignition. The story of ignition, she said, makes up a great deal of her story. And what was taking place on May 5 was an exciting chapter in the stories of each graduate. She encouraged each new alum to let his or her graduation from South Georgia College be the start of astounding new addition to their own stories.

“The two years I spent at South Georgia College have really prepared me for my next stop, Brewton Parker College. I met many amazing people at SGC, learned from some incredible faculty and enjoyed experiences I will never forget. It was a great two years of my life,” stated Joshua Fletcher of Douglas.

“I didn’t really know what to expect when I came to South Georgia College. I wasn’t sure what it would be like, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The people here are fantastic. The campus is beautiful, and it has everything you’d expect from a small college but with the feel of a big university. I’m ready to move on to Georgia Southern University, but I am really going to miss South Georgia,” said Sally Anderson, a native of Claxton.

“I’m planning on a career in law enforcement. I knew I’d get a good education at South Georgia, and I also knew that classroom instruction will only get you so far when it comes to police work. You have to get out in the field and learn on the job. But after studying here, I feel very confident that I can handle the job of a police officer. I’ve had some great people take me under their wing and mentor me. The clubs and organizations have been wonderful and I’ve come in contact with a diverse group of people from all over the world. This college will always be very special to me,” commented Hilaria Taft of Axson.

Also at the ceremony, graduates and the audience heard from Dr. Leonard Steverson and Dr. Frank Holiwski, both of whom have received a National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Texas-Austin. Dr. Carson also announced that in the 2011-2012 academic year, a new one-time scholarship will be given in honor of long-time instructor and head baseball coach Scott Sims, who is retiring after almost 21 years at SGC. Additionally, Dr. Carson congratulated Scott Thigpen, an Associate Professor of Nursing who joined the SGC faculty in 1992, for obtaining his Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Georgia Health Sciences University in Augusta.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Dr. Carson conferred the degrees. Graduates, their families and guests then enjoyed a reception on the lawn.

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is located in Douglas, Ga. The college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty. With over 20 majors and transfer opportunities, South Georgia College provides the finest education possible to the citizens of its service area.