MACON —Mercer University will hold its final two commencements in Macon on Saturday in the University Center's Hawkins Arena. The Walter F. George School of Law will hold its commencement at 10 a.m. with 165 participants. At 3:30 p.m., the University will hold the Macon commencement for 536 participants, featuring graduates from the Macon campus and nearby programs. In all, the University will have conferred more than 1,800 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees during five commencements on three campuses since May 3.
Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author and 1980 Mercer Law graduate, will deliver the commencement address to the Law School graduates, including graduates of the School's first Master of Laws program in Federal Criminal Practice and Procedure.
At the Macon commencement, the University will award an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to musical pioneer and Macon native Richard “Little Richard” Wayne Penniman. The commencement speaker for the Macon commencement will be retired Lt. Gen. Claude M. Kicklighter, a 1955 College of Liberal Arts graduate, former inspector general of the Department of Defense and Mercer trustee.
The University's final commencement will include graduates from the Macon campus, as well as the Eastman Regional Academic Center and non-M.D. graduates from the Savannah campus. The ceremony will include graduates from the Stetson School of Business and Economics, Tift College of Education, School of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts, Townsend School of Music and the College of Continuing and Professional Studies.
The Macon campus will also celebrate with its traditional Baccalaureate ceremony on Friday at 5 p.m. in Willingham Auditorium. The event will feature selected readings, affirmation of faith, pastoral prayer and reflections leading up to the keynote address, titled “Marching Off the Map,” by former College of Liberal Arts dean and Emeritus Professor of English Dr. Richard Fallis. A reception will be held outside after the service. In the event of rain, the reception will be held in Newton Chapel.
Below is the complete listing for the University's remaining commencements in Atlanta and Macon.
Macon
Walter F. George School of Law
Speaker: Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author and 1980 Mercer Law graduate
Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.
Hawkins Arena, University Center
Candidates for degrees: 165
Macon Commencement – College of Liberal Arts, Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics (Savannah and Macon), School of Engineering, Tift College of Education (Macon and Eastman), Townsend School of Music and College of Continuing and Professional Studies (Macon and Eastman)
Speaker: Claude M. Kicklighter, 1955 College of Liberal Arts graduate, former inspector general of the Department of Defense, Mercer trustee, and retired U.S. Army lieutenant general
Saturday, May 11, 3:30 p.m.
Hawkins Arena, University Center
Candidates for degrees: 536
Atlanta – Cecil B. Day Graduate and Professional Campus
Atlanta Commencement – College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics (Atlanta, Henry and Douglas), McAfee School of Theology, Tift College of Education (Atlanta, Douglas, Henry and Newnan) and College of Continuing and Professional Studies (Atlanta, Henry and Douglas)
Speaker: Dr. John R. Seffrin, chief executive officer at American Cancer Society
Saturday, May 11, 8:30 a.m.
Upper field – Atlanta campus
Candidates for degrees: 1,003
