LaGrange physician to deliver commencement address

Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2025

Dr. Davin Mitchell, founder of Total Diagnostic and Interventional Pain in LaGrange will give the keynote speech at the 194^th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10, at 8:30 a.m., at Callaway Stadium.

A native of Georgia, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Morehouse College and a doctorate in medicine from Wayne State University. In addition, Dr. Mitchell participated in a yearlong internal medicine internship at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan, and an anesthesiology residency and a pain management fellowship at Duke University.

Since 2010, he has dedicated his time to helping manage pain for his patients in LaGrange and the surrounding areas. His goal is to safely manage pain so that his patients can lead a rewarding life.

At LaGrange College, Dr. Mitchell has endowed 8 student scholarships. These are given to students majoring in accounting, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, manufacturing engineering technology, music, musical theatre or nursing. Each scholarship is matched with someone who has excelled in the given field with a goal of providing the student access to mentors to further their education outside of the classroom. 

During the event, Dr. Sonya Gaither ’93 will be awarded the Distinguished Service Alumni Award.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a minor in mathematics from LaGrange College, a master’s degree in library service from Clark-Atlanta University and a doctorate in educational administration from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia.

Dr. Gaither is dean of libraries at Clayton State University. Prior to her current role, she was employed as director of library services at Gordon State College and library assessment officer at Georgia Southern University.

Honors she has received during her 30-year higher education career include the Education 2.0 Outstanding Leadership and HeAL Conferences’ Excellence in Leadership awards in 2024 and the Education 2.0 Excellence in Education award in 2025.

Active in her community, Dr. Gaither is involved with the Rotary Club, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Tabernacle of Praise Church International’s College and Young Adult Ministry Leadership Team.

At LaGrange College, she serves on the Board of Trustees. She also spent two terms on the Alumni Executive Committee, previously holding the roles of president, vice president and secretary.  

 

Campus Notes

• There are 30 remaining tickets available for the LC Alumni and Friends Day at the Atlanta Braves game on June 14. Attendees will have access to a patio area, food vouchers and more; a shuttle is available from LC to the game for $25 per person. Only 10 shuttle spots remain. Reserve tickets at www.lagrange.edu/braves.
• LC recently received the NetVUE grant for Fostering Leadership for Communities of Faith from the Council of Independent Colleges. With generous support from the Lilly Endowment, this award will fund paid internships for students in local church settings. The initiative will launch in fall 2025. Those interested in applying need to contact the Rev. Ashley Jenkins at ajenkins@lagrange.edu.
• Counseling Services will host Self Care Week April 22-24

The schedule of events include:

Tuesday-Play It Out, Paint It Out, 11 a.m., Caswell Plaza

Wednesday-The Art of Self Care, 11 a.m., Caswell Plaza; Let’s Talk S’more About It, 5:30 p.m., Caswell Plaza

Thursday-Doodle and Destress, 11 a.m., Caswell Plaza; CAREing Paws Therapy Dogs visit campus, 11 a.m., Bailey Room

 

Collegiate Enrichment

Academic Advising Student Input Survey

Tuesday, April 22-Friday, May 2

Virtual

• An academic advising survey will be sent out to students for their input.

What Was She Wearing? Exhibit: Servant Scholars and Harmony House

Tuesday, April 22

10 a.m., Lewis Library

• The Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars is partnering with Harmony House for an awareness campaign concerning sexual assault victims. Survivor stories will be on display as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Master’s Program Information Session

Tuesday, April 22

4 p.m., Virtual

• Join graduate program faculty to learn about our master's programs and admissions processes. The event will be held via Zoom.

Worship Night: Baptist Collegiate Ministry

Tuesday, April 22

6 p.m., Residential Quad

• The event will have food and outdoor games, followed by a time of worship and then a message given by a guest speaker.

R&B Bingo Night: Black Student Union

Tuesday, April 22

8 p.m., Bailey Room, Smith Hall

• Come for an evening with music, snacks and bingo. There will be a prize for each winner.

The Art of Self Care

Wednesday, April 23

11 a.m., Smith Patio

• The Counseling Center is offering students a chance to slow down and enjoy some painting while learning practical tips for incorporating self-care into everyday life.

Let’s Talk S’more About It

Wednesday, April 23

5:30 p.m., Caswell Plaza

• The Counseling Center will provide an opportunity for students to practice self-care by gathering for s’mores and a community conversation about stress. They will learn how stress impacts the body and learn simple, effective tools to help cope.

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Thursday, April 24

11 a.m., Lewis Library

• Students will present research projects from a variety of disciplines.

Honors Day

Thursday, April 24

4 p.m., Callaway Auditorium

• The event will celebrate the accomplishments students and faculty have made during the academic year.

2025 Senior Exhibition and Undergraduate Art Showcase

Thursday, April 24

5:30 p.m., Lamar Dodd Art Center

• The opening reception will showcase works Art & Design students have worked on during the academic year.

Yoga Night: Black Girl Magic

Thursday, April 24

7 p.m., Residential Quad

• The event will feature a mix of different yoga styles taught by an instructor, with options to fit everyone’s comfort level.

 

Sports

Baseball

The Panthers took two losses and claimed a 5-3 victory against Piedmont April 11-13. They are at Maryville Apr. 17-19 to take on the Scots in their final road conference series of the regular season in the first matchup between the two since the CCS Tournament Championship round in 2024.

Softball

LC competed in its final home contests of the season this past weekend, crushing CCS rivals Agnes Scott and splitting with top-three-in-conference Piedmont. Both were played in doubleheader format. The Panthers finish the regular season with road matchups against Wesleyan this weekend and Asbury next weekend.

Lacrosse

The Panthers played their Senior Day game on Saturday, April 12, against Southern Virginia in a 17-8 loss at Callaway Stadium. They finish the regular season on Friday, April 18, (today) against William Peace in a must-win game in order to clinch a berth in the USA South Conference Tournament.

Beach Volleyball

LC picked up its second win in school history this past weekend against Salem. Next up, they head down to Florida to compete in the AVCA Women's Beach Volleyball Championship Tournament.

Men’s Golf

The Panthers will compete in the Discover Dekalb Invitational hosted by Emory University April 19-20 at the Cherokee Run Golf Course in Conyers, Georgia. They finished 18th place at last week's tournament in Montgomery, Alabama, hosted by Huntingdon.

Tennis

After experiencing some losses last week, Men’s and Women’s Tennis picked up a big win this week against Coastal Alabama, with both teams winning 4-3. Freshman Karla Wiley continued her dominant streak, winning five straight matches in #1 Singles competition, as well as a pair of doubles victories to earn the team's nomination for the CCS Player of the Week award in back-to-back weeks. Both will wrap up their regular season this weekend against Johnson & Wales University at home.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Friday, April 18 – Beach Volleyball at AVCA Small College Beach Volleyball Championships, 9:05 a.m. and 12:20 p.m., Gulf Shores, Alabama

Friday, April 18 – Lacrosse at William Peace, noon, Raleigh, North Carolina

Friday, April 18 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Johnson and Wales, 1 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Friday, April 18 –Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Johnson and Wales, 1 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Friday, April 18 – Baseball at Maryville, 2 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee

Friday, April 18 – Softball at Wesleyan, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., Macon, Georgia

Saturday, April 19 – Men’s Golf at Emory Invitational Atlanta, Conyers, Georgia

Saturday, April 19 – Baseball at Maryville, 1 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee

Sunday, April 20 – Men’s Golf at Emory Invitational Atlanta, Conyers, Georgia

Thursday, April 24 – Baseball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 7 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium

Category: Students, Events, Community

Keywords: Graduation, Medical