Augusta University celebrates Spring 2024 graduates
More than 1,250 graduates were celebrated during Augusta University's 2024 commencement ceremonies.
Fall Commencement
Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony
calendar icon Wednesday, December 11, 2024
map-marker icon Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center
clock icon 6:00 PM
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
icon Thursday, December 12, 2024
map-marker icon Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center
icon 10:00 AM
Make this day worry free, go through all the details of what to do before your big day.
We are NO longer accepting additional ticket requests for the fall commencement ceremonies. Any guests who wish to watch your ceremony may do so via the commencement livestream that can be found at augusta.edu/stream.
We look forward to this fall's commencement ceremonies as our incoming president Dr. Russell Keen's first ceremonies at the helm of Augusta University!
As the inaugural president and as an alumnus of Augusta University, our traditions are near and dear to me. Traditions like the ringing of our arsenal bell, which symbolizes healing and hope. And traditions like commencement, to celebrate the accomplishments and hope for the future of Augusta University graduates. These traditions create meaningful experiences that last a lifetime.
GradPass, RSVPs & Commencement
Tickets Close
Graduate Hooding & Commencement Ceremony, 6:00 pm
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, 10:00 am
Meet your Keynote Speakers:
Ralph D. Turner, DBA, MHA, MPA, FACHE
SVP, Hospital President, Wellstar MCG Health
Graduate Hooding and Commencement Keynote Speaker
Ralph was selected as the first President of Wellstar MCG Health in March of 2024.
Prior to his role at Wellstar MCG Health, he served as the Hospital President for
Wellstar Paulding Medical Center for 2 years. Previously, he served as the Chief Operating
Officer for the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, Vero Beach, FL, starting 18
March 2019. Also, while serving with the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio from January 2017
until March 2019, he was the Executive Director of Patient Support Services for the
Cleveland Clinic enterprise, of which the duties were inclusive of integrated health
systems responsibility for food and nutrition services; laundry, linen and textile
operations; and patient customer services including the renowned red coats, service
express and patient transportation.
During his tenure at University of Wisconsin Health System, Ralph served as Vice President
for Facilities, Support and Emergency Medicine Services (EMS). Among his accomplishments,
he also administered several on-time and under budget construction projects, in addition
to successful implementation of the patient ambassador program to improve customer
services.
Angela Canada
Senior Principal Team Leader of Menu and Packaging, Chick-Fil-A Inc.
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony Keynote Speaker
Angela Canada serves as a senior principal team leader of menu and packaging with
Chick-Fil-A Inc. She graduated from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg
SC in 1994 with a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. After completing a summer
program in food science, Angela decided to pursue her master's degree at Alabama Agricultural
and Mechanical University in Huntsville, AL, graduating in 1997.
Angela has spent more than 26 years in the food industry, working with multiple companies.
For the last 20 years, Angela has played an integral role on the culinary and commercialization
team at Chick-Fil-A Inc. The span of Angela's career has allowed her to create craveable
menu items, such as the Chick-Fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Peach Milkshake. In
her day-to-day role, she also supports initiatives to ensure a continuous food supply
and collaborates on initiatives to reduce complex operational processes across all
Chick-Fil-A restaurants.
Meet your Student Speakers:
Churchill Ezeokonkwo, Graduate Hooding and Commencement Student Speaker
Churchill Ezeokonkwo is a native of Riverdale, Georgia. During his time at Augusta University as a graduate student, he served as a graduate assistant coach for the cross country and track & field teams.
Churchill is a degree candidate for the Master of Public Health program in the School of Public Health. Congratulations, Churchill!
Eboni Watts, Undergraduate Commencement Student Speaker
Eboni Watts is a native of Augusta, Georgia. While she has been very involved in student life at Augusta University, Eboni is the reigning Miss Augusta University 2024, an accomplishment she says she is the most proud of.
Eboni is a degree candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology program in the College of Education & Human Development. Congratulations, Eboni!
Eboni's photo taken by Eddison Smith III from Third I Visuals.
video icon WATCH
Check out the replays of our spring commencement ceremonies:
A digital copy of the program is also available for your viewing pleasure.
Undergraduate, Specialist, and Graduate Academic Regalia
Academic regalia includes the cap and gown, as well as other distinguishing hoods, stoles and cords that denote traditions of academic achievement. Official Augusta University regalia is used by all participants in the graduation ceremony. Orders for regalia are limited to graduates participating in the Fall 2024 ceremonies. All other orders will be cancelled.
For Associates and Bachelors graduates: Regalia orders may be placed online via the Jostens website or ordered in-person at the RoarStore. The online order deadline for regalia has passed. Regalia orders placed at this time will need to be placed in-person at the RoarStore. The regalia package for associates and bachelors graduates if ordered online is $49 plus $12 shipping. If graduates order regalia in person at the RoarStore, the regalia package is $59. Students need to use their AU email address to complete their order. This regalia package includes the robe, cap, and tassel. Customized stoles are permitted to wear with your cap and gown. Tassel colors are not guaranteed for any orders placed after the order deadline. All Associates and Bachelor graduates will keep their regalia at the conclusion of commencement. Please notify the RoarStore should you be unable to participate in commencement after ordering your regalia.
For Masters and Specialists graduates: Regalia orders may be placed online via the Jostens website or ordered in-person at the RoarStore. The online order deadline for regalia has passed. Regalia orders placed at this time will need to be placed in-person at the RoarStore. The masters and specialists regalia package if ordered online is $99 plus $12 shipping. If graduates order regalia in person at the RoarStore, the regalia package is $109. This regalia package includes the robe, hood, cap, and tassel. Customized stoles may be worn with your cap and gown. Hood and/or tassel colors are not guaranteed for any orders placed after the order deadline. Masters and Specialists graduates will keep their regalia at the conclusion of commencement.
Business attire is appropriate under the gown. The event will be a combination of standing and sitting, so make sure you dress comfortably for both. For those wearing pants, consider dark pants and shoes.
Doctoral Academic Regalia
Doctoral students may rent or purchase regalia for graduation online via Jostens website. The Fall 2024 regalia deadline has passed. The rental regalia package for doctoral students (including PhD, DNP, DPT and EdD graduates), costs $179 plus $12 shipping. Rental regalia will be paid for at time of pick-up. Regalia rental pick-ups will take place at the Summerville Campus RoarStore, beginning November 20.
If doctoral students wish to purchase their regalia, a package is available for $997.80. This package is only available for purchase online through the Jostens website. Students may come to the RoarStore to get measured for this regalia or submit their measurements with their order. If regalia is rented, doctoral students must return their regalia following the ceremony. Returns can be made immediately following the ceremony, or at the RoarStore during operating hours. Please contact the RoarStore if you have any additional questions.
Business attire is appropriate under the gown. The event will be a combination of standing and sitting, so make sure you dress comfortably for both. For those wearing pants, consider dark pants and shoes.
Faculty Academic Regalia
Faculty members need to RSVP for commencement and indicate whether or not they will need to rent regalia to participate in commencement. Faculty may pick up their order at the Summerville Campus RoarStore or can be shipped to you for a small fee. Contact the RoarStore if you haven't made plans for renting regalia or the Office of Faculty Affairs if you have any questions about regalia rentals. The faculty rental regalia deadline for the Fall 2024 commencement ceremonies will be announced soon.
Follow the website below to learn more about what faculty need to know in preparation for commencement.
Guests
All commencement ceremonies are ticketed events; and all guests attending must have a ticket, including children. Babies younger than one year old will not require a ticket. All ticket information will be announced through AU email. Students will be required to use their augusta.edu email address and student ID number to log in to the portal to claim their tickets. Please note, Marching Order shuts down to students the week of the ceremony and tickets will not be accessible to graduates during this week. Students are advised to access their tickets as early as possible.
All seating is general admission and there are no VIP tickets for guests of graduates. Doors will open approximately 90 minutes prior to the start of each commencement ceremony. If you haven't been to Augusta before, the link below will show you some more about our city, some fun things to do (and eat!) and more!
Accessibility Accommodations
Graduates needing a disability-related accommodation to participate in commencement should contact Rebecca Berger, Director of Testing and Disability Services for Augusta University. Ms. Berger may be reached by phone at 706-737-1469.
Marching Order
Marching Order is the system used to manage commencement operations, including graduate RSVP's, guest ticketing, graduate communications, and grad passes. Graduates must create an account in Marching Order to access their guest tickets and ensure their name is pronounced and listed correctly for the commencement ceremony. Graduates must indicate whether or not they attend to participate in commencement through Marching Order. Please note, Marching Order shuts down to graduates the week of the ceremony and tickets will not be accessible to during this week.
Marching Order is open now for fall 2024 commencement. Commencement RSVPs are due on November 11th. Please login to Marching Order ASAP to ensure you have a seat for commencement!
Grad Pass vs. Name Card
Graduates will access their Grad Pass, their "ticket" into commencement, through their Marching Order account. Students can access their Grad Pass by logging into their Marching Order account they created when they submitted their RSVP and selecting "Grad Pass." Access to your Grad Pass will close the week of the ceremony, so students are advised to access their Grad Pass early. Name cards are what students will need to have their name announced as they cross the stage. Name cards will be placed in graduates seats to use during commencement.
Dual degree recipients may not see both degrees received on their Grad Pass and/or name card due to space limitations. Please know both degrees received will show on screen for your guests to see your accomplishments!
Graduation Announcements
Graduation announcements and additional items may be ordered directly from the Jostens website.
Dual Degree Recipients
Graduates who are graduating with dual degrees may opt to attend one ceremony or both ceremonies, depending on which ceremony their degrees are being conferred in. Contact the Commencement Team if you have any questions.
Graduating with Honors
Undergraduate students graduating with honors will be designated in the commencement program. Qualifying students will be notified via email. If you're unable to pick up your honors cord prior to commencement, students may pick up their cords when checking in for commencement at the Marriott. Please make sure to bring a photo ID if picking up cords at commencement.
Legacy
Augusta University celebrates generations of families continuing our rich tradition by listing graduates whose parent, step-parent, or grandparent graduated from Augusta University or one of her legacy institutions (ex: Augusta College, Augusta State University). Legacy status is only awarded to those family members who have received a degree from Augusta University or a legacy institution, not to those completing a residency program.
Graduates who are part of our Jaguar legacy family will receive a specially designed pin for commencement to recognize their family’s Augusta tradition. The legacy graduates submission deadline has passed for the fall 2024 commencement program. The Office of Alumni Engagement will be in touch with these students who have designated themselves as legacy graduates about obtaining their legacy pin they will receive to wear at commencement.
Contact Us!
Do you still have any questions about the commencement ceremonies this semester? Email the Commencement Team. Graduates: for any questions you may have about your diploma or graduation application, please email the Graduation Team.
Guest Tickets, Seating and Special Accommodations
All commencement ceremonies are ticketed events; and all guests attending must have a ticket, including children and infants older than one year old.
All convention center seating is general admission and there are no VIP tickets for guests of graduates. Guests are not allowed on the floor before or during the ceremony. Doors will open approximately 90 minutes prior to the start of the graduate hooding and commencement ceremony and the undergraduate commencement ceremony.
If your guest requires special accommodations, seating is available on a limited first-come, first-served basis. Due to limited seating in the accessible areas, a maximum of one person will be allowed to accompany the person with a disability in the designated seating area. Guests who may need a disability-related accommodation to attend this event should contact Rebecca Berger, Testing and Disability Services Director at Augusta University. Ms. Berger can be reached by phone at 706-737-1469.
Parking
The Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center's address is 2 10th Street, Augusta. Students and Faculty participating in commencement will park at no charge in the Georgia Cyber Center parking deck, located at 1 11th Street, Augusta between 11th and 12th streets in Downtown Augusta. Family members of graduates may ride with their student and use this deck as well if it works best for ceremony travel accommodations.
Commencement guests can park in the Reynolds Street parking deck at no charge and use the bridge to access the convention center. Guests who wish to park here will need to tell the parking attendant of their attendance at the AU Commencement Ceremony. Guests will not need to present vouchers upon entry or departure from this parking deck. No commencement guests will be allowed to park in the designated reserved parking spaces in the Reynolds Street parking deck.
Additionally, there are parking lots available on 9th-10th streets, many of them first come, first serve. Please plan accordingly!
ADA Parking Accommodations
ADA Parking is available at the following parking decks:
Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center Parking Garage (located at 9th & Reynolds
Street)
Augusta University Nathan Deal Campus Parking Deck at the Georgia Cyber Center
Graduation Photography
GradImages will be on site to take professional photos of your graduate that will be available for purchase following the ceremony. Graduates can text "Grad24" to 888-299-0978 to find their photos after their ceremonies. If graduates pre-register their information with GradImages before their ceremony, graduates will receive a coupon for 20% off their entire order. Graduates can follow the link below to pre-register their information.
Watch Livestream
Non-ticketed observers will be able to watch the ceremony live online. A playback of each ceremony will be uploaded to YouTube following the ceremonies. Follow the link below to access the livestream platform for commencement.
Diploma Information
Graduates can expect to receive your diplomas 6-8 weeks following commencement. Diplomas will be mailed to the address listed on your graduation application. Email the Graduation Team if you have any questions about your diploma issuing.
We encourage the entire University community, including graduates, families, friends, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, to post their photos and messages on social media to honor the moment and celebrate our graduates using the commencement hashtag: #AUGGrad
Are you stumped about where you can go to take your graduation pictures? We've got you covered! We've compiled a list of some photo opportunities around Augusta University's campuses as well as some fun spots around Downtown Augusta. Tag us in your social media posts: @aug_university
All commencement ceremonies will be held at Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center in Downtown Augusta
More than 1,250 graduates were celebrated during Augusta University's 2024 commencement ceremonies.
“Kendrick’s actions and interactions with patients reflect a genuine concern for their physical, social and emotional well-being,” said Tiana Brown.
“Making art in general has been very therapeutic for me," said Edna Martinez, a former Marine now art grad. "It's not just a passion anymore. It's become a necessity.”
“Since the day I set foot on campus, I have been so proud of the academic achievements, community engagement and career success of our students and alumni."
We shared a newsletter with you all recently that details more information you need to know about the fall commencement ceremony. Fall graduates, this was sent to your AU email. Summer graduates, this was sent to the post-graduation email you provided on your graduation application. Please read this newsletter in totality!