Commencement Program

LaGrange College

Founded in 1831 by what would become the United Methodist Church, LaGrange College embraces its history with the Wesleyan, liberal arts traditions. Our community’s life and work are rooted in the Wesleyan notion of education as not just informative, but also transformative: connecting mind, body, and heart. We carry on John Wesley’s passion for making education broadly accessible. We do this by striving to meet each student where they are and by valuing them for who they are.

Through an interdisciplinary, broad-based general education curriculum, rigorous study in the major disciplines, innovative learning opportunities and integrative co-curricular programs, LaGrange College students encounter experiences that challenge and inspire them to develop intellectually, socially, and spiritually.

Understanding the necessity of informed thought directed toward responsible decision making, the academic programs of the college provide opportunities for students to grow in their ability to communicate effectively, to encounter the world with critical insight, and to approach problems and opportunities with creativity.

Aware of the global nature of 21st-century learning and living, the college provides multiple opportunities for students to experience distant cultures and diverse peoples through study-away options, language study, internships, and a wide exposure to cultural-enrichment events – all in the context of academic study and action that foster responsible, sustainable stewardship.

OUR MISSION

We challenge the minds and inspire the souls of our students, preparing them to become successful, responsible citizens who pursue lives of integrity, service, and lifelong learning.

OUR VISION

To be an innovative institution, holistically educating our students to connect with and contribute to an ever-changing world.

OUR VALUES

As an institution, we value the inherent worth of every human being, the pursuit of lifelong learning and development, integrity and moral courage, spiritual growth, and service to our community and to our world.

ACADEMIC REGALIA

The word “academic” applies to activities related to a body of people banded together in scholarly, scientific, and artistic effort. Its name comes from Academus, a hero of the Trojan War, whose name was used to identify a place in Athens where Plato met his students. 

The earliest universities, with the exception of El-Azbar in Cairo, began in Italy. The University of Paris was established between 1150 and 1170, with German and English universities coming a little later.  Teachers were not brought together as a faculty body in the current sense until the founding of the University of Salerno in the 9th century. 

As most professors were members of the clergy and many of the students were preparing for the priesthood, a costume was adopted that was similar to the robes of monks, but with distinguishing marks to indicate that these professors were scholars. Originally, robes were worn for warmth and the caps to keep shaved heads from getting cold. Touches of color were added for distinction and a mortarboard to the caps for ceremony.

In 1895 a basic design was adopted by representatives from leading American colleges and universities to denote a difference between the robes of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree holders. In 1935 and again in 1960, the American Council of Education amended the earlier code.

The bachelor’s gown is without ornamentation and has long pointed sleeves. A black tassel is worn on the cap. The master’s gown has longer sleeves that are closed at the bottom, but have an opening in the sides of the sleeves for the arm. A black tassel is worn on the cap. The doctoral robe, worn open or closed at the front, has long bell-shaped sleeves, a full-length lapel of velvet, and three velvet bars on the sleeves. A gold tassel is worn on the cap.

Hoods denote both the field of study and the school from which the highest degree was received. The colors on the lining indicate the school. The field colors seen in the LaGrange College procession are as follows:

HONOR SOCIETIES REGALIA

Some of LaGrange College’s graduates are members of academic honorary societies; their cords and stoles denote the particular society and are described below.    

ALPHA MU GAMMA
Foreign Language (double gold cords)

BETA BETA BETA
Biology (red and green cords)

CHI SIGMA IOTA
Counseling (blue and gold cords)

DELTA MU DELTA
Business (purple and gold cords)

HONOR COUNCIL
(gold stoles)

KAPPA DELTA PI
Education (purple and green twined cords with purple tassels)

NURSING HONOR SOCIETY
(lavender cords)

OMICRON DELTA KAPPA
Leadership (sky blue, black and white cords)

PHI ALPHA THETA
History (blue and red cords)

PI SIGMA ALPHA
Political Science (red, black and white cords)

PSI CHI
Psychology (blue and white medallions attached to blue ribbons and light blue stoles)

SIGMA TAU DELTA
English (red and black cords)

THETA ALPHA KAPPA
Religious Studies (red cord)

Mace Bearer
Dr. Sharon Livingston

Gonfalon Bearer
Parker Floyd ‘25

2025 Class Banner
Daniel Cody ‘25

Faculty Marshals
Dr. Maranah Sauter
Dr. William Paschal

Student Marshals
Dr. William Yin
Dr. Greg McClanahan

Junior Honor Marshals
Zentrina Choice ‘26
Skylar Edwards ‘26
Meredith Orton ‘26
Autumn Romaine ‘26
Chase Shelton ‘26

LAGRANGE COLLEGE MACE

LaGrange archivist Randy Allen ´73 designed and carved the mace for the inauguration of President F. Stuart Gulley in 1997. The mace, carried in the academic procession as a link with tradition, dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was considered a weapon and was designed to be used against enemies wearing suits of armor. When technology changed and suits of armor became obsolete, the mace became known more as a symbol of power and authority. As universities emerged in Europe, the ruling monarchs granted some of their authority to the institutions. To symbolize the authority, the university was allowed to have a mace. Today, colleges and universities use the academic mace to symbolize the authority they have to grant degrees and their charge to maintain high educational standards.

The LaGrange College mace is made of black walnut. The top of the mace is four-faceted with carvings of the United Methodist flame, historic Smith Hall, the rose window of the Chapel, and the College seal. The mace is a symbol for the authority of the Office of the President. It serves to remind LaGrange College of its long-standing relationship with The United Methodist Church, its mission, and its faith in the future.  It is carried in the procession by the president of the LaGrange College Faculty Assembly.

LAGRANGE COLLEGE GONFALON

The gonfalon was a banner or ensign used by various Italian republics or in ecclesiastical processions. The LaGrange College gonfalon is carried in the procession by the undergraduate student who has the highest cumulative grade point average in this year’s graduating class.

THE PLATFORM PARTY

as seated from left to right

Dr. Sharon Livingston
Professor of Education, President of Faculty Assembly

Rev. Ashley Fitzpatrick Jenkins ’08
Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life and Church Relationships

Bill Plybon
Chair of the Board of Trustees

Dr. Susanna Baxter
President

Speer Burdette
Dr. Davon Mitchell

Dr. Brian Peterson
Vice President for Academic Affairs

Amber Baldridge ’07
Registrar

Makenzie Hornsby
Recipient of the 2025 Waights G. Henry, Jr., Leadership Award

Parker Floyd ’25

Daniel Cody ’25

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

*Please stand if you are able

*PROCESSIONAL
John Mohr Mackintosh Pipes and Drums

WELCOME
Susanna Baxter

INVOCATION
Ashley Jenkins ’08

MUSICAL PRESENTATION
The LaGrange College Singers

“Melodies From Heaven”

Kirk Franklin

PRESENTATION OF SENIOR GIFT
Susanna Baxter

Zoe Veres ’25

INTRODUCTION OF THE 2025
Brian Peterson

WAIGHTS G. HENRY, JR., LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT

WAIGHTS G. HENRY, JR., LEADERSHIP ADDRESS
Makenzie Hornsby

PRESENTATION OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Spencer King ’00, President, Alumni Association

ALUMNI AWARD
Dr. Sonya Gaither ‘93

PRESENTATION OF HONORARY DEGREES
Susanna Baxter

Speer Burdette

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Dr. Davon Mitchell

CONFERRING OF DEGREES

It is our tradition to read all names, though not all may be in attendance.

Associate of Arts
Associate of Science
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Master of Arts
Master of Arts in Teaching
Master of Education
Education Specialist

Assisting President Susanna Baxter in the conferring of degrees:
Bill Plybon, Brian Peterson, and Amber Baldridge

*THE ALMA MATER
Traditional

Lyrics: Dolly Jones House 1914

Led by the LC Singers

Hail to thee, our Alma Mater,
Guardian of our days;
For thy spirit never failing
We will sing thy praise.

High aloft we hold thy banner,
Ever loyal true;
And to thee, our Alma Mater,
We our pledge renew.

In thy mighty groves of learning
Wisdom’s path we’ve sought;
High upon thy lofty hilltop
Visions have been wrought.

From our hearts we sing the chorus
Time shall never change.
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater,
Hail to thee, LaGrange.

*BENEDICTION
Ashley Jenkins ’08

*RECESSIONAL
John Mohr Mackintosh Pipes and Drums

ACADEMIC HONORS

Latin honors at graduation are based on the student’s grade point average. These honors are awarded only to those students who have completed at least 60 semester hours at LaGrange College.

cum laude 3.50 – 3.74

magna cum laude 3.75 – 3.89

summa cum laude 3.90 – 4.00

Students may graduate with “distinction” if they have completed 42-59 semester hours in residence at LaGrange College with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5. Honors listed in the program are based on students’ earned GPAs at the end of Fall Semester and may have changed with Spring grades.

THE LAGRANGE COLLEGE LEGACY MEDALLION

Graduates who are legacies, those who have a grandparent, parent, sibling, spouse, or child who is an alumnus of LaGrange College, wear a pewter medallion. The medallion features Smith Hall with its four columns, affectionately known as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  The date of the College’s founding, 1831, reflects the heritage of the institution.  The College’s mission, “Challenging the mind.  Inspiring the soul,” adorns the reverse side. 

VIDEO OF TODAY’S CEREMONY

View today’s ceremony on the LaGrange College YouTube channel.

Visit www.youtube.com/lagrangecollege.

USHERS

Karnelia Fannin
Alejandro Rico-Calderon
Jala Williams
Katie Gonzalez
Trenton Harrison
Valerie Alston
Journey Oden
Christy Vanhoose

HONOR YOUR GRADUATE

Participate in an LC tradition by making a gift to the LaGrange College Fund in honor of your senior’s graduation. The opportunities that are a part of every student’s experience are made possible through the support of families like you. Please join the LaGrange family legacy of making a gift to honor your graduate—and help ensure that this same experience continues for students to come.

A NOTE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

The list of names was required by the printer several days prior to Commencement to allow production of this program. The status of some candidates may have changed since that time. Some may not have completed all requirements for their degrees. The listing of a name in this program in no way implies an obligation on the part of LaGrange College to award a certificate or degree. For official purposes, a final correct list of graduates is retained by the Office of the Registrar.

Special thanks are extended to members of the Commencement Committee; ushers; faculty and junior marshals; Karen Eley, director of National Management Resources Corporation at LaGrange College; Andrew Lowery, director of facilities of National Management Resources Corporation at LaGrange College; and Marsha Wyzykowski, food service director of ARAMARK at LaGrange College.