GSC awards first baccalaureate degrees

OAKWOOD – For the first time in school history, Gainesville State College conferred four-year degrees at its spring commencement ceremony at the Hugh M. Mills Physical Education Complex on Thursday.

Nineteen students were awarded bachelor of science degrees in early childhood education, and six men and women received bachelor of science degrees in applied environmental spatial analysis. The school also distributed an estimated 343 associates degrees in arts, science and applied science.

The graduates ranged in age from 19 to 61 and included the grandson of the college’s first president. Ralph Heath Mills, grandson of Hugh M. Mills, received an associate of arts degree.

Nancy Patricia Batchelor spoke to the students about her rise from an abusive home, through the foster system, to become the Student Government Association president of the Gainesville campus. She encouraged the graduates to have the strength to take chances and never lose hope.

Commencement speaker Allan Vigil, chairman of the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents, congratulated the graduates on their success and implored them to make a positive impact on the world around them.

“Your talents and abilities are needed in this community, this state and this country,” he said.

Students from both the Gainesville and Oconee campuses participated in the ceremony. A total of 19 students graduated with honors. The following individuals had the highest grade point average in their degree area.

Baccalaureate Degrees

Summa Cum Laude 3.90-4.00

Mr. Charles O. Bailey
Environmental Spatial Analysis
Lula, GA

Ms. Robyn Michele Ancil
Early Childhood Education
Suwanee, GA

Ms. Lynn Ann Gerhard
Early Childhood Education
Cumming, GA

Ms. Martha Denise Lock
Early Childhood Education
Maysville, GA

Ms. Sonya Denise Negley
Early Childhood Education
Clermont, GA

Ms. Eleanor Marie Schink
Early Childhood Education
Alpharetta, GA

Ms. Kelly Symmes
Early Childhood Education
Cumming, GA

Mr. William Scott Wilkerson
Early Childhood Education
Mt. Airy, GA

Magna Cum Laude 3.70-3.89

Mr. Iverson Robert Aultman
Environmental Spatial Analysis
Watkinsville, GA

Mr. Jason Carroll Bewley
Environmental Spatial Analysis
Statham, GA

Ms. Natalie Jeannine Ingram
Early Childhood Education
Lawrenceville, GA

Ms. Cynthia Anne Kinsey
Early Childhood Education
Clermont, GA

Ms. Lydia D. Lively
Early Childhood Education
Maysville, GA

Ms. Holly N. Reynolds
Early Childhood Education
Braselton, GA

Associate of Arts

Ms. Kelli Leigh Gunn
Sociology & History
Baldwin, GA

Ms. Taylor Lauren Miller
Political Science
Commerce, GA

Associate of Science

Ms. Eleanor Marie Schink
Early Childhood Education
Alpharetta, GA