ATHENS – Athens State University’s graduation exercises will be held in the Carter Physical Education Gymnasium on Saturday, May 9 with three separate ceremonies.
At 9:00 a.m., the College of Education will commence with Dr. Belle Wheelan addressing the attendees.
Wheelan’s educational career spans 37 years and includes roles as provost, community college president, and state secretary of education at the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since 2002, Dr. Wheelan has served as the President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS), one of six regional accrediting agencies in the country.
At 12:00 noon, the College of Arts and Sciences will present diplomas to their graduates with Jerry Hayes serving as the college’s keynote speaker.
Hayes is in his 36th year at WHNT News 19, joining the station in March of 1979. He held positions as a reporter, a producer, and an anchor for weekend, late night, and noon newscasts before taking over the 6 and 10 main anchor spot in November of 1983.
At 3:00 p.m., the College of Business graduation ceremony will be held with Dave Hargrove serving as the keynote speaker.
Hargrove serves as Regional Director of Government and External Affairs for AT&T Alabama. His responsibilities include government, community and media relations as well as customer service and marketing support in the eleven northernmost counties of the state.
Approximately 300 students will march, encompassing the graduating classes for the three colleges for the 2015 spring semester.
Athens State’s commencement ceremonies are free and open to the public. For more information call 256-233-8296.
MEDIA RELEASE/ATHENS STATE UNIVERSITY/GUY MCCLURE
