GSW commencement marks completion of educational journey

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GSW Alumni Association President Mary Wysochansky welcomes the graduates into the Alumni Association while reading from a booklet featuring quotes from other GSW alums. Submitted Photo
Kirby Wyatt Salter, third from the left, marches into the Storm Dome during Saturday's Fall Commencement. Earlier in the day at the graduation breakfast, Salter, a political science major from Americus, was the recipient of the Deborah A. Allen Award as the Outstanding Non-Traditional Student in History and Political Science. Submitted Photo

December 10, 2011

Anonymous The Americus Times-Recorder The Times-Recorder Sat Dec 10, 2011, 07:37 PM EST

AMERICUS — In front of a full house Saturday in the Storm Dome, approximately 400 Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) students earned either a bachelor's, master's or specialist's degree during Fall Commencement. Though some will pursue further education, for most, this marked the end of a journey lasting nearly two decades.

The event's keynote speaker was Georgia Perimeter College President Anthony S. Tricoli. While reflecting on the traditions and notable alumni from Georgia Southwestern, Tricoli encouraged the graduates to pursue their dreams with intent and to give back to the people in need around them and to the University that ushered them to this point in their lives.

In the last four years, Tricoli and GSW President Kendall Blanchard have developed a strong relationship. As a result, a unique accelerated bachelor’s of business administration program was established allowing students to earn an associate’s degree in business from GPC and a bachelor’s degree from GSW in just three years. The first graduate of this program, Catherine Cospelich of Atlanta, received her diploma Saturday in business management with honors.

The poster child of this unique program, Cospelich plans to mold her pet sitter service, which already has over 100 clients, into a thriving business. While taking one of her GSW courses, in fact, Cospelich created a business plan to push it to a higher level.

During the graduation awards breakfast earlier in the day, Gary Kline, professor of political science, was awarded with the 2011 Excellence and Commitment to Teaching award voted on by the faculty.

John Stovall, GSW associate professor of marketing, served as the macebearer and Rebecca Short, assistant professor from the School of Education, delivered the reflection. Greg M. Hawver, Ed.D., professorgrand marshal. GSW Alumni Association President Mary Wysochansky concluded the program by welcoming the graduates as the newest group of GSW alumni.

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GSW commencement marks completion of educational journey

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