MACON — Mercer University will hold two commencements at the University Center on the Macon campus on Saturday, May 13. Students from the College of Liberal Arts, Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics, School of Engineering and Tift College of Education will graduate during a ceremony beginning at 10 a.m., while students from the College of Continuing and Professional Studies will graduate in a ceremony at 4 p.m.
The main Macon commencement, which includes four schools, is the largest of the University’s 10 commencements, with more than 460 graduates in attendance. For the first time, commencements are being held on campus in the University Center, opened in 2004 as the focal point of campus activity.
This year’s exercises will be the final ceremonies that Dr. R. Kirby Godsey will preside over as president and CEO of Mercer. Dr. Godsey, the longest serving president in the University’s history, will step down as president on June 30 after more than 27 years and will become chancellor and university professor.
President Godsey will give the commencement address at the Macon Commencement, which includes the School of Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts, the Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics and the Tift College of Education. During his address, President Godsey will also introduce a special guest, highly respected jazz and rock and roll musician Chuck Leavell, keyboardist for the Rolling Stones, who will perform a special musical selection.
Three honorary degrees will be awarded during the Macon commencement: Doctor of Music to Leavell, musician and conservationist; and Doctor of Humanities to Philip Walden (posthumously), founder of Capricorn Records and Velocette Records.
University Minister Dr. Craig McMahan will deliver the keynote address to the 144 graduates of the College of Continuing and Professional Studies at the 4 p.m. ceremony.
Macon Commencement
College of Liberal Arts, Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics, School of Engineering and the Tift College of Education
Speaker: Dr. R. Kirby Godsey, President and CEO, Mercer University
Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m.
The University Center, Macon Campus
Graduates: 467
College of Continuing and Professional Studies
Speaker: Dr. Craig McMahan, University Minister
Saturday, May 13, 4 p.m.
The University Center, Macon Campus
Graduates: 144
About Mercer University:
Founded in 1833, Mercer University has campuses in Macon and Atlanta as well as regional academic centers in Douglas County, Henry County, Macon and Eastman. With 10 schools and colleges, the University offers programs in liberal arts, business, engineering, education, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, law and theology. On July 1 2006, the University will add its eleventh academic program, the School of Music. For 16 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has named Mercer University as one of the leading universities in the South. The Princeton Review has ranked it among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation.
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