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Tertiary education challenges students in numerous ways, yet the Class of 2025 departs from the University of Georgia thoroughly equipped to soar and explore.
Jarryd Wallace, the keynote speaker, a four-time Paralympian, and two-time bronze medalist, imparted insights he gained from the challenges he encountered during UGA’s undergraduate Commencement ceremony on May 9.
“That’s the purpose of hardships — they shape us in ways that comfort never could. They instruct us to persevere when everything seems illogical. To maintain faith when optimism feels out of reach. To identify ourselves not by our losses, but by our evolving selves,” Wallace stated.
Wallace, who graduated with his bachelor’s degree from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences in 2019, was awarded a track scholarship to UGA. As a student-athlete, complications due to compartment syndrome altered his plans, necessitating the amputation of his leg below the knee.
Today, he stands as a four-time world record holder and three-time world champion, boasting a personal best of 10.71 seconds in the 100-meter dash and a long jump of 26 feet, 6 inches — just shy of 9 yards.
“I didn’t merely return to running after my amputation; I discovered how to soar,” he remarked.
Wallace conveyed three key insights to the university’s latest graduates.
Firstly, he reminded them that life is challenging, yet they should embrace the journey, for difficulties present the most significant opportunities for development.
Secondly, Wallace pointed out that while objectives guide direction, they do not define achievement. True accomplishment is evaluated by the lessons they absorb during the journey.
Lastly, he emphasized that an individual’s identity holds greater significance than their actions. The most effective way to discover one’s purpose is through serving those nearby.
“It’s the journey, rather than the destination, that truly molds us. Therefore, if you find yourself amidst something broken, don’t evade it. Welcome it. Life is tough, but the journey is valuable,” Wallace expressed.
Kate Hall, who earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, served as the undergraduate Commencement student speaker. During her address, she likened the Arch to an entranceway.
“By embracing all that UGA presents to us, we are metaphorically passing through the Arch and unlocking a gateway filled with opportunities to enhance our futures,” Hall remarked. “Regardless of how your journey here has unfolded, I urge you to take a moment to appreciate those who helped you reach today. We owe our presence here to the support of those who inspire us to improve, the pillars and foundation of our personal Arch.”
Hall recounted the various ways she and her peers traversed their own Arch throughout their academic journey.
“The Arch embodies a narrative — a narrative that encompasses the souls, the locations, the experiences, the adventures, the education, the growth — all converged into one emblematic symbol,” Hall articulated. “When you glimpse the Arch or hear the mention of the esteemed University of Georgia, I hope it ignites a sense of pride within you. Pride not just in being part of such a remarkable institution, but also pride in yourself. At last, we can genuinely cross through the Arch, reflecting back on how far we’ve journeyed — and how the gateway was open to us all along.”
Grace Johnson, another student, found her way to the Commencement stage to present a rendition of “Georgia on My Mind,” lighting up the crowd with flashlights and standing ovations. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in advertising from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication during the undergraduate event.
Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor and University Professor K. Paige Carmichael served as the keynote speaker for the graduate Commencement ceremonies on May 8. Carmichael, a faculty member in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s pathology department, discussed the graduate school experience.
“This moment transcends being a mere milestone. It’s your launching pad for your flight into the future,” Carmichael asserted. “Graduate education is not solely about gaining knowledge; it’s about generating knowledge. It’s about transformation. It’s about pushing beyond limits that you once thought were immutable.”
She encouraged every graduate to be the type of individual who expresses “yes” to the visions that others have not yet recognized, who dreams boldly, elevates others as they ascend, and dares to leap, even when the path appears unclear.
“Here’s the reality — young birds don’t wait for ideal conditions to leap from the nest. Pilots don’t have the luxury of seeing the full route before takeoff. Neither will you. You must trust in your wings — even if they still seem unfamiliar,” Carmichael explained. “You will encounter turbulence. You might even experience a crash landing or two. But the essence of flying lies not in never falling or failing. Like that young bird, it’s about learning to rise again, with strengthened wings each time.”
This year, 8,781 students — 5,971 spring undergraduates and 953 anticipated summer undergraduates, alongside 1,857 graduate students — fulfilled the requirements to participate in the university’s spring Commencement ceremonies and had their degrees awarded by UGA President Jere W. Morehead. Among the graduate attendees, 260 were doctoral candidates, while 1,597 achieved their master’s or specialist degrees. Furthermore, Gleaton Pace Jones was posthumously honored with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing.
“To our graduates, I hope you hold onto the connections you made with your peers, mentors, professors, and others you encountered during your journey here. These relationships will gain significance in the future as you reflect upon the profound effects they have had on your life,” Morehead advised. “Remember the strong bonds that unite us and remind yourself that, wherever life takes you, you are part of the UGA family.”
A total of 152 students were celebrated as First Honor Graduates during the undergraduate ceremony for achieving a 4.0 cumulative GPA across all coursework completed at UGA as well as any college-level transfer credits earned prior to or following enrollment at the university.
“Youshould take pride in what you have accomplished up to this point. But understand that your journey has only just begun,” Morehead stated. “As UGA alumni, we do not rest on our achievements, nor do we forget the purpose of our education. We anticipate extraordinary contributions from you — because you are a graduate of the University of Georgia.”
The article UGA Class of 2025 spreads its wings and learns to fly first appeared on UGA Today.
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