Albany State University (ASU) held its 2023 Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 6, where over 870 students turned their tassel as they became official alumni of the historic institution. There was excitement in the air at the Albany Civic Center, where the ceremony was held. Families and friends traveled from all around the country to attend the celebration.Graduation 23

Students from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Darton College of Health Professions, the College of Business, Education, and Professional Studies, and the Graduate School participated in the ceremony.

In her opening remarks, President Fedrick urged students to continue to lean upon the knowledge learned during matriculation as they lead their lives. “Each of our students has shown remarkable development in their academic and personal lives. We encourage them to continue to uphold excellence as they pursue their goals and never forget the strength that lies within their learning.”

Georgia Senator Sonya M. Halpern of District 39, served as the commencement speaker. In her role as senator, she is also the Georgia General Assembly Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and Chair of the Fulton County Senate Delegation. She has authored/sponsored ten bills that are now Georgia state law.

Sen. Halpern encouraged students to continue learning, saying, “Your life’s journey may not be a straight line, but it will be full of opportunities to learn, grow and reinvent yourself. Be someone who embraces the journey and creates your own singular path to success.”

During the ceremony, members of the class of 1973 were recognized in celebration of their 50th graduation anniversary.

Many of the graduating students have already secured job offers and graduate school acceptance.

Christian Herrera, a biology graduate, will attend the Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. program at the University of California, Irvine.

MaKya Daniels, a forensic science graduate, will serve as a mental health counselor at Rutledge State Prison.

Cory Calhoun, a nursing graduate, has accepted an emergency room nurse position at Piedmont Macon Medical Center.
Following the conferring of degrees, three ROTC students were commissioned into the U.S. Army as second lieutenants.

Earlier in the week, over 160 nursing and health sciences students, and 18 education students were pinned in their respective pinning ceremonies. The class of Spring 2023 also included dual-enrollment and fully online students.

The University is proud of all of its graduates and encourages them to remain active as alumni, giving their time, talent, and treasure to those who will come after them.

Family and friends who were unable to attend in person were provided the opportunity to access the recorded ceremony on the University’s YouTube Channel.