The University of Georgia will hold its fall Commencement ceremonies on December 12, with a total of 3,234 students—1,649 undergraduates and 1,585 graduate students—eligible to participate. The undergraduate ceremony is set for 10 a.m. at Stegeman Coliseum, followed by the graduate ceremony at 2:30 p.m. in the same venue.
Doug Ivester, a former chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company and a 1969 UGA accounting graduate, will deliver the undergraduate address. Ivester currently leads Deer Run Investments LLC and has held various roles at Coca-Cola since joining in 1979. He became chief financial officer at age 37 and retired from the company in 2000. His involvement with UGA includes serving as an emeritus trustee of the University of Georgia Foundation and supporting several university initiatives.
Ivester’s contributions to UGA include funding scholarships for Hall County students and establishing programs like the Deer Run Fellows Program and the Deer Run Global Fellows Program for international study opportunities at Terry College of Business. In recognition of his impact on the university community, he will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters during the undergraduate ceremony. “The honorary degree is the university’s highest recognition short of an earned doctorate and honors those whose achievements have had a lasting impact.”
Reid McAdams, a student from Morehead Honors College earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance, will give the student address at the undergraduate ceremony. McAdams has participated in international business studies in Italy and interned with Goldman Sachs.
The graduate ceremony will recognize approximately 344 doctoral candidates and 1,241 master’s or specialist degree recipients. Ron Walcott, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School, will speak at this event. Walcott holds a Ph.D. in plant pathology from UGA as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Iowa State University. His research on vegetable pathogens has attracted over $5 million in external grants; he has also secured nearly $1 million to support educational programs for high school and college students.
Walcott has mentored more than 40 master’s and doctoral students along with undergraduates and high school participants through campus programs such as CAES Young Scholars Internship Program.
UGA will honor 32 First Honor Graduates who maintained a perfect cumulative GPA across all their coursework at UGA as well as transfer credits.
Attendance policies require tickets for graduates and guests attending the undergraduate ceremony but not for those attending the graduate event. Both ceremonies will follow UGA’s clear bag policy; parking is complimentary on a first-come basis.
Both events are scheduled to be streamed live via the Commencement homepage.
