Local students receive degrees at Piedmont University Spring Commencement

DEMOREST, GA (05/13/2025)– On Friday, May 9, in two ceremonies, Piedmont conferred undergraduate degrees to more than 205 students, including 148 first-generation students, and 164 graduate students, including master’s, EdS, and doctorate degrees. The ceremonies were held at the Johnny Mize Athletic Center on the Demorest campus.

The graduates included:

• Destiny Brown of Social Circle, GA, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Amy Cartledge of Monroe, GA, who earned a Education Specialist in Music Education.
• Kaely Duckworth of Monroe, GA, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Stephanie Duke of Monroe, GA, who earned a Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction Ini Cert.
• Nicolas Eberhart of Loganville, GA, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art.
• Jordyn Green of Loganville, GA, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
• Misty Harrison of Monroe, GA, who earned a Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction Ini Cert.
• Kristen Holcomb of Loganville, GA, who earned a Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction Ini Cert.
• Ashlyn Ivey of Monroe, GA, who earned a Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction Ini Cert.
• Suzanne Jones of Loganville, GA, who earned a Master of Business Administration.
• Chelsea Jordan of Monroe, GA, who earned a 4+1 Speech Lang Pathology M.S. & Comm Sciences Disorders B.S.
• Ansley Kiplinger of Social Circle, GA, who earned a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education.
• Clayton Maddox of Monroe, GA, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts in Design & Tech Theatre.
• Faran Pacheco of Loganville, GA, who earned a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education.
• Bailey Parham of Monroe, GA, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.
• Amy Remely of Social Circle, GA, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Shambreka Ross of Social Circle, GA, who earned a Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction Ini Cert.
• Jennifer Rowell of Monroe, GA, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Mischele Stafford of Monroe, GA, who earned a Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction Ini Cert.
• Draylon Starks of Monroe, GA, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Management.
• Kennedy Votava of Loganville, GA, who earned a 4+1 Speech Lang Pathology M.S. & Comm Sciences Disorders B.S.
• The Hon. Douglas Collins, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, delivered the keynote address at both ceremonies.
• Several awards were given during commencement. The Michael and Emily Robertson Kindness Award was presented to Miss Dakota Rose Chen and Mr. Riley Robinson, recognizing students who have demonstrated kindness to others within the Piedmont University community.
• Prestine Boyd received the H.M. Stewart Sr. Award of Excellence, presented annually to the top honor graduate of Piedmont University. The senior had the best grade point average in the class of 2025.
• Dr. Mike Friedline, professor in the College of Arts & Sciences, was named the Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award winner. Dr. Candice Southall, professor in the College of Education, was recognized as the Outstanding Graduate Advisor Award winner.
• Professor Tricia Shriver, College of Education, was honored with the Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award. This annual award is presented to an outstanding undergraduate faculty member who demonstrates strong academic skills in the classroom and provides leadership and support in other areas of campus life.
• “Congratulations to all our graduates and their families, friends, and supporters. Graduation is a life-changing milestone. We are proud to welcome you to the Piedmont alumni family,” said President Marshall M. Criser, III.

About Piedmont University: Founded in 1897, Piedmont University is a private, comprehensive liberal arts institution offering a personalized higher education experience focused on student success, academic achievement, and professional development. Offering a variety of career-oriented majors in the arts and sciences, business, education, and nursing, Piedmont’s supportive learning environment is defined by small class sizes, with a 12:1 ratio, that allow students to create meaningful relationships with their professors, classmates, and the campus community. Piedmont’s idyllic, 390-acre residential campus is nestled in the foothills of the north Georgia mountains, with a satellite campus situated in the heart of downtown Athens. For more, please visit www.piedmont.edu, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter/X.