The University of Georgia is set to embrace its latest graduates on May 8 and 9, as 5,971 spring undergraduates and 953 anticipated summer undergraduates, along with 1,857 graduate scholars — totaling 8,781 — have fulfilled the criteria to take part in the university’s spring Commencement ceremonies.

The undergraduate ceremony is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Sanford Stadium on May 9. Jarryd Wallace, a four-time Paralympian and recipient of two bronze medals, will deliver the keynote speech.

Hailing from Athens, Wallace was a state champion in cross-country running and was enrolled at UGA on a track scholarship when complications from compartment syndrome altered his trajectory. During his junior year in 2010, he began experiencing discomfort in his right shin, which resulted in 10 surgical procedures over two years. Following those operations, he chose to undergo an amputation of his leg below the knee.

This surgery provided him with a fresh opportunity, and just over a year and a half later, he established a world record in the 100-meter dash at the Parapan American Games. He is presently a three-time gold medalist at the World Para Athletics Championships and has taken part in the past four Paralympic Games.

After achieving professional success in sprinting, including a bronze medal in the 2020 Paralympic Games, Wallace opted to transition to the long jump. Despite the difficulties of this change, it proved to be an invigorating challenge for him, one that ultimately bore fruit. At the 2024 Paralympic Games, he secured a bronze medal for the long jump.

Wallace is the CEO and founder of the RIVL Foundation, which emphasizes innovations in prosthetics, amputee rehabilitation research, and community engagement. He has also partnered with prosthetic companies to make running blades more affordable and accessible. Wallace completed his bachelor’s degree in 2019 from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at UGA and resides near Athens with his wife, Lea, and their two sons.

Kate Hall, who is set to earn a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, has been chosen by her classmates to present a speech on behalf of her graduating cohort.

UGA will honor 152 students as First Honor Graduates for achieving a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA in all coursework undertaken at UGA, as well as all college-level transfer coursework preceding or following enrollment at the institution.

Approximately 260 doctoral candidates and 1,597 master’s and specialist degree students will be eligible to participate in the graduate ceremonies at Stegeman Coliseum on May 8. The master’s and specialist ceremony will commence at 10 a.m., followed by the doctoral ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Paige Carmichael, Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor and University Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s pathology department, will give the address at the graduate ceremonies.

Dr. Carmichael earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. She completed a residency in pathology and a Ph.D. at UGA in 1994 and became board certified in veterinary anatomic pathology in 1995.

Her enthusiasm lies in teaching, and she has received numerous accolades for her instruction, including the Lilly Teaching Fellowship, the Norden-Pfizer Teaching Award, and the Tyler Award for Teaching Innovation. She was inducted into the university’s Teaching Academy in 2005 and, in 2006, became the first African American faculty member at UGA to be awarded the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship.

Dr. Carmichael has held various leadership positions, including serving as the College of Veterinary Medicine’s associate dean for academic affairs from 2006 to 2015. She is one of the founders and coordinators of the UGA Teaching Academy Early Career Fellows Program and co-chairs the UGA Teaching Academy. She is also the director of the UGA Undergraduate Certificate in One Health program and was appointed to the board of directors of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in 2021. Additionally, she oversees the Diagnostic Ocular Pathology Service. In 2023, she received UGA’s university-wide Faculty Service Award and has also been honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from both of her alma maters.

The clear bag policy will be enforced for all ceremonies. Parking is complimentary and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The graduate and undergraduate ceremonies will be streamed live on the Commencement homepage.

For additional details, please visit https://commencement.uga.edu.

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