GSC Graduation Ceremony is May 11

An expected 314 degrees will be awarded to 306 graduates Friday, May 11 at the Spring 2018 graduation ceremony at Gordon State College.

The ceremony begins at 8:30 on Lambdin Green. As customary, the graduates, faculty, and guests will be lead onto Lambdin Green by bagpiper Michael Grest. Piping the procession and recession is a long-held tradition and a nod to Gordon's Scottish roots.

About 200 graduates are expected to march, and they will receive their diplomas from Interim GSC President Stuart Rayfield. Delivering the graduation address will be Dr. Kirk Nooks, who will become GSC President on June 1.

Also during the ceremony, new emeritus faculty, Gary Cox, Gwen Sharpe, Mickie Weldon and Kathy Davis will be recognized.

After graduation, an all-you-can-eat brunch is available in the Highlander Dining Hall for $8.77 per person.

At 11 a.m. graduates of the School of Education will gather in the Fine Arts Auditorium for the Book and Bell Ceremony.

The basic textbook and handbell are given to each graduate to symbolize the two basic things that all truly dedicated teachers need to teach.

At 12 p.m. graduates of the School of Nursing will gather in the Student Activity and Recreation Center for their Pinning Ceremony. During the ceremony, the graduates receive their GSC School of Nursing pin and then light their Nightingale lamps. The lamp is a symbol of the care and devotion a nurse administers to the sick and injured in the practice of nursing.

Parking for family and friends attending graduation is available in the lot adjacent to the athletic fields which is accessible from College Drive and Highlander Way.