Gordon State College Honors One of Largest Graduating Classes in College History
By Karolina Philmon, GSC marketing manager
Gordon State College celebrated a historic milestone on Friday, May 15, during its Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony. A total of 338 degrees were awarded to 328 graduates, marking one of the largest graduating classes in the college’s history and the final commencement ceremony led by President Dr. Donald J. Green.
The ceremony reflected continued momentum at GSC under Green’s leadership. Graduates from The School of Business and Professional Studies (BPS), The School of Nursing, Health, and STEM (NHS), and The School of Education, Arts, and Humanities (EAH) helped push the Spring 2026 graduating class beyond last spring’s totals of 294 degrees awarded to 290 graduates. The milestone marks one of the largest commencement ceremonies celebrated by Highlander Nation in decades.
“Graduates, today represents more than the completion of a degree. It reflects perseverance, growth, sacrifice, and the determination to build a stronger future,” Green said. “Your education will open doors, strengthen families, and create opportunities that extend far beyond this moment. Today, we celebrate not only what you have accomplished, but the impact you are prepared to make moving forward.”
The ceremony also included a special recognition of leadership from Alpha Phi Alpha and Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first fraternity and sorority chartered at GSC, who attended to celebrate graduating members of the college’s Greek Life community.
During the ceremony, Green recognized several graduates whose personal journeys reflected the determination, resilience, and ambition found throughout Highlander Nation. The students highlighted represented the many different pathways GSC students take toward earning a degree and building a future.
Among those honored was Caleb Manley, a wounded U.S. Army veteran and scholastic honor graduate who overcame injuries sustained during Operation Iraqi Freedom while pursuing his degree at GSC. Manley, who is active in GSC’s Student Veteran & Adult Learner Association and Student Veterans of America, also participated in the college’s first entrepreneurship competition and plans to launch a vacation boat rental business following graduation. Faculty and staff praised his resilience, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Green also recognized Victoria Carty, a first-generation college graduate who returned to higher education years after leaving college to focus on raising her family. After relocating to Georgia and working as a paraprofessional in a local school system, Carty pursued her dream of becoming a teacher through GSC’s education program. She now graduates as an educator and plans to continue into a master’s degree program in 2027.
Another student recognized was John Jones, an honors business graduate who balanced academics with responsibilities in his family’s business while maintaining a 3.9 GPA. Jones credited GSC faculty for their support throughout his academic journey and plans to pursue a career in aviation with aspirations of becoming a commercial airline pilot.
Green also highlighted several students whose accomplishments brought statewide recognition to GSC during the academic year. Their achievements reflected the growing momentum of undergraduate research, debate, and entrepreneurship opportunities across campus.
Among those recognized was Caleb Terry, winner of Gordon State’s Undergraduate Research Symposium, who developed a robotic fruit picker through his research efforts. Terry will continue his education at the University of Georgia to study computer science. Green also recognized Maxee Peacock, who advanced as a semifinalist in the University System of Georgia’s debate competition, helping Gordon State achieve the highest debate performance among all state colleges in the system.
The final recognition honored Danielle Gibson, winner of Gordon State’s first entrepreneurship competition. Gibson later earned third place at the University System of Georgia’s statewide entrepreneurship competition with her antimicrobial copper electroplating kit, competing alongside students from some of Georgia’s largest institutions.
Featured alumni speaker Taylor J. Smith, economic development director for the City of Thomaston, also addressed graduates during the ceremony. Smith began his higher education journey at Gordon, earning his associate degree in 2013 before continuing to the University of West Georgia, where he completed degrees in management, marketing, and public administration.
Today, Smith leads economic and community development initiatives for the City of Thomaston and serves on the Georgia Downtown Association Board of Directors, with a strong focus on downtown revitalization and community growth.
“As you leave [GSC] with your degree in hand and your future ahead of you, remember this: You will not control everything that happens to you, but you will always control how you respond to it,” Smith said. “Lead with courage. Lead with integrity. Lead with purpose. In the end, life is not defined by what happens to us, but by what we choose to do with it. Congratulations, Class of 2026. The world is waiting, not for perfection, but for your attitude.”
The School of BPS awarded 43 baccalaureate degrees and 38 associate degrees, totaling 81 graduates. The School of EAH awarded 80 baccalaureate degrees and 63 associate degrees to 143 graduates, while the School of NHS awarded 84 baccalaureate degrees and 30 associate degrees to 114 graduates.
A total of 338 baccalaureate and associate degrees were awarded to graduates, representing a 15% increase from last spring’s commencement ceremony.
“Growth does not happen instantly. Every challenge we face shapes us, and every step forward matters, even when progress feels slow,” said Joanna Blount, GSC spring class of 2026 representative, during her speech. “As we leave here today, remember that growth is a continuous journey, and success comes through persistence and moving forward one step at a time.”
Two additional ceremonies followed commencement, beginning with the presentation of the Book and Bell to spring 2026 graduates from The School of EAH. The tradition dates to the 19th century, with each GSC education graduate receiving a school bell and a McGuffey’s Reader, two tools commonly used by teachers from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century.
Following Book and Bell, spring 2026 NHS graduates were honored in a separate Pinning Ceremony marking their official entrance into the nursing profession. Historians trace the nursing pin tradition back to the Crusades of the 12th century, while Florence Nightingale later adopted the practice of presenting medals of excellence to top nursing graduates during the 1860s. By 1916, pinning ceremonies had become standard practice in the United States.
