AMERICUS, GA — The following area residents were among approximately 258 students who graduated from Georgia Southwestern State University during the Spring 2020 Virtual Graduation Ceremony on Friday, May 15.

Cheney Bryant of Coolidge, Bachelor of Business Administration in management

Sydnee Smith of Pelham, master’s degree in nursing

“These graduates are part of a graduating class like no other,” noted GSW President Neal Weaver, Ph.D. “Whether on stage or online, their hard work deserves to be recognized. May 15 was their special day, and we made sure it was still going to be their special day. We know this is not how they envisioned completing their college journey, but I am amazed at their perseverance and determination through it all.”

During the virtual ceremony, President Weaver and Provost Suzanne Smith, Ph.D., shared brief remarks and words of encouragement, conferred undergraduate and graduate degrees, and signaled the turning of the tassels.

Graduates received a package in early May with a special gift available only to Spring 2020 graduates. They were encouraged to share photos posing with the package contents, wearing their cap and gown, or watching the ceremony and post on social media.

Spring 2020 graduates also have the option of returning to campus to walk across the stage in a special face-to-face August 15, 2020 ceremony.

“We hope the Class of 2020 will consider coming back to join us in August so we can honor them in person,” Weaver said. “It would give me great pleasure to shake their hand, commend them on rising to the challenge, and award them with that hard-earned degree.”

GSW’s virtual ceremony can be found online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-L1hikoFEo

Georgia Southwestern State University, located in Americus, is a public, four-year unit of the University System of Georgia with approximately 3,000 students. Georgia Southwestern offers outstanding professional programs of study as well as degrees in the arts, humanities, sciences and graduate programs in business, computer science, education, English, and nursing. 

Founded in 1906, Georgia Southwestern is recognized as one of the best value colleges in the nation. Visit www.gsw.edu for more information.