Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) will hold its Fall 2018 Commencement ceremony Wednesday, December 12 at 3 p.m. in the Convocation Hall of the Student Success Center. Approximately 426 undergraduate and graduate students will be recognized at the ceremony for their academic achievements. The commencement speaker will be Brigadier General Thomas Carden, Jr., Deputy Commanding General of the Multinational Division South East in Bucharest, Romania.
 
Brigadier General Carden is a graduate (’92) from Georgia Southwestern State University with a bachelor of science in history. He later earned a master of arts in human resource management from Webster University in St. Louis, Mo. and a master of science in strategic studies from the Army War College.
 
Brigadier General Carden enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard in 1986 as an infantryman. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in August 1989 after completing officer candidate school. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, and the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He earned a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College.
 
Guests are encouraged to arrive early to the ceremony. Doors to the Convocation Hall will close at 3 p.m.