Speakers and Honorees

Baccalaureate Speaker

The Rev. Dr. Thomas Martin graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College, a master’s degree in divinity from Duke Divinity School and a doctorate in ministry from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, where he has worked as a teaching parish supervisor in its Contextual Education program.

He is currently assigned to LaGrange First United Methodist Church as Senior Minister, a role he has held since January 2024. His responsibilities include fostering outreach and community development as well as providing spiritual, professional and emotional support to his congregation.

The Rev. Dr. Martin has 17 years of ordained ministry experience, having worked as an associate minister at Peachtree Road UMC and senior minister at Sandy Springs UMC and Fayetteville First UMC.

At LaGrange College, he serves on the Board of Trustees. In addition, the Rev. Dr. Martin taught a course as part of the institution’s Master’s in Higher Education program.

During his spare time, he performs with the Peachtree Road Revival Band and plays tennis.

He and his wife, Leslie, have three children.

Commencement Speaker

Dr. Davin Mitchell is the founder of Total Diagnostic and Interventional Pain in LaGrange, Georgia.

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 Detroit, Michigan. In addition, Dr. Mitchell participated in a yearlong internal medicine internship at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, 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, entrepreneurship, 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.

Distinguished Service Alumni Award

Dr. Sonya Gaither ’93 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.

She is dean of libraries at Gordon State College and Clayton State University. Previously, Dr. Gaither 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 Leadership Council, previously holding the roles of president, vice president and secretary. Dr. Gaither received the Wall of Outstanding Alumni Award in 2007.

Waights G. Henry, Jr., Leadership Award

Makenzie Ruth Hornsby ’25 is graduating with a double major in Psychological Science and Sociology with a double minors in Servant Leadership and Religion & Philosophy.

She is the executive director of LaGrange College Miracle, a nonprofit organization that benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Previously, she served as the internal operations director, who was responsible for organizing the seven-hour Dance Marathon, one of the nonprofit’s largest fundraising events. In 2025, the student organization raised $31,887.41 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

As President of Campus Circles, Makenzie helped build relationships between individuals with exceptional needs and members of the campus community. She is also a Wilkinson Family Servant Scholar, a softball athlete, a Resident Assistant, vice president of Psi Chi Honors Society and a member of Phi Mu, SMILE LC and LC PRIDE.

Her service experience includes volunteering with Discovery Cottage, Miracle League and Our Daily Bread. Makenzie also joined forces with United Way of West Georgia for a book drive to stock the Little Free Libraries around LaGrange.

As an orientation leader, she helped manage teams and guided incoming first year students and their families.

After graduation, Makenzie will pursue a master’s degree in child life at Auburn University.

Doctor of Arts and Letters

H. Speer Burdette III, of LaGrange, Georgia, is a retired businessman whose visionary leadership helped put into motion initiatives for the advancement of education and the betterment of the community.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in math from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Business Administration in accounting from the University of Alabama.

For 16 years, Burdette held the role of president at Fuller E. Callaway Foundation and Callaway Foundation, Inc. During his tenure, the Callaway Foundation was involved with projects that included Sweetland Amphitheatre, Wild Leap Brew Co., Del’avant Event Center, the AMC movie theater building, Courtyard by Marriott, downtown parking decks and Southbend Park.

After his retirement in 2018, he began Burdette Consulting LLC, where he serves as president.

With a background in accounting, he started out working as a senior auditor for Arthur Anderson & Co. in Atlanta from 1976-79 and then a partner at J.K. Boatwright & Co. in LaGrange from 1979-2002.

At LaGrange College, he was a consultant for the Board of Trustees from 1989-2000. He was named to the board in December 2000 and served on the Executive Committee and as Chair of the Investment Subcommittee. He received the Honorary Alumni Award in 2012.

Burdette serves on the boards of the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority, Industrial Development Authority, LaGrange Personal Aid Association, Medical Park Foundation and Wellstar West Georgia Health.

Doctor of Humane Letters

The late Pastor James L. Harris, affectionately known as Brother Harris, was a devoted leader and teacher, firmly committed to education and to uplifting the next generation.

In his hometown of Manchester, Georgia, he pastored at A House of the Living God Church of Jesus Christ for 49 years, continuing to serve as a spiritual advisor until his passing in November 2024. Among his many achievements was the establishment of Christian Way Academy (1984–2014), a private school that instilled the values of integrity, perseverance and excellence.

Brother Harris earned a Bachelor of Arts from Paine College and a Master of Education from LaGrange College.

Beyond the pulpit, he was an educator for over 30 years in the public school systems of Meriwether, Harris, Talbot and Tift counties. He also shared his passion for teaching and mentorship as a professor at LaGrange College and an academic counselor for the Morehouse College Upward Bound program.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Carolyn J. Harris, their eight adult children—Naomi (Carey), Antipas, Norman (Alicia), Miriam, Alexander (Emily), Alonzo, David (Deborah) and Mia—and nine grandchildren.