U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., will give UGA undergraduates one final charge on May 9 before the university sends off its newest alumni with a fireworks farewell. The spring Commencement ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. in Sanford Stadium.
The graduate Commencement ceremony, which will feature UGA Dean Emeritus Arthur M. “Andy” Horne, will be held at 10 a.m. in Stegeman Coliseum. Tickets are not required for either ceremony.
“It is a great honor for the University of Georgia to welcome Sen. Johnny Isakson as the speaker for spring Commencement,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Sen. Isakson is a great public servant and a statesman, and he has been a strong advocate for the value of public education, from kindergarten through college and beyond. As an alumnus, he has brought honor and recognition to his alma mater. I am very grateful to him for agreeing to speak to the Class of 2014.”
A 1966 UGA graduate, Isakson served 17 years in the Georgia Legislature in both the House of Representatives and Senate and as chairman of the Georgia Board of Education. He was elected in 1999 to the U.S. House of Representatives for the first of three terms and in 2004 to the U.S. Senate. He is currently in his second term as a U.S. senator.
Horne, who was dean of the College of Education for five years, will deliver the graduate Commencement address. A Distinguished Research Professor in counseling, Horne led improvements in faculty productivity in both outreach and research before retiring in December 2012. He remains an active adviser with the Safe and Welcoming Schools program, which was developed to increase school safety.
“Dean Emeritus Horne exemplifies how scholarship can be used to address community needs and impact lives, and we are delighted that he will be delivering the graduate Commencement address,” said Pamela Whitten, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.
Horne was an internationally recognized researcher in counseling. He focused on troubled families and school-based prevention of male bullying and aggressive behavior.
Both ceremonies will be streamed live at http://www.ctl.uga.edu/ctlcable and broadcast live on Channel 15 of the university and Charter cable systems.