Albany State University (ASU) will honor nearly 600 graduates at the Spring Commencement at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 11, at the Albany James H. Gray Sr. Civic Center. The procession begins at 9:30 a.m.

Valerie Montgomery Rice will serve as the keynote speaker. The sixth president of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and the first woman to lead the freestanding medical institution, Montgomery Rice serves as both the president and dean.

Marrying her transformational leadership acumen and strategic thinking to tackle challenging management issues, Montgomery Rice has a track record of redesigning complex organizations’ infrastructures to reflect the needs of evolving strategic environments and position the organization for success through sustainability tactics.

A renowned infertility specialist and researcher, she most recently served as dean and executive vice president of MSM, where she has served since 2011. Prior to joining MSM, Montgomery Rice held faculty positions and leadership roles at various health centers, including academic health centers.  Most notably, she was the founding director of the Center for Women’s Health Research at Meharry Medical College, one of the nation’s first research centers devoted to studying diseases that disproportionately impact women of color. 

A Georgia native, Montgomery Rice holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology, a medical degree from Harvard Medical School and an honorary degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree from Rush University. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Emory University School of Medicine and her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Hutzel Hospital.

The spring commencement ceremony will include a U.S. Army ROTC commissioning ceremony, following the conferring of degrees. Additional commencement related activities are listed below.

The Class of 1969 Golden Anniversary Reception, 2 p.m., Friday, May 10, Eula Lovett Hall (East)

Spring 2019 Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 5 p.m., Friday, May 10, Building C, room 266 (West). The program will recognize senior nursing students.

Spring 2019 Health Sciences Pinning Ceremony, 3 p.m., Friday, May 10, Building C, room 266 (West). The program will recognize students who are completing various health science programs.

Spring 2019 Professional Embracing Novice (PENning) Ceremony, 5 p.m., Friday, May 10, Billy C. Black Building Auditorium (East). The program is designed to prepare future educators for the transition from college to the classroom. During the ceremony, veteran educators will pin the novice educators who are entering the education field.