Editor's note: View graduation video and click on arrows on above photo to see graduation slide show.

Avery Ebron initially came to Georgia Perimeter College “just to get enough classes to transfer.” Instead, the business administration major decided to stay and became a member of the class of 2014 graduates receiving their associate degrees at GPC’s commencement exercises May 12.

“I received so much exposure to different events and things while at GPC,” said Ebron, who got involved in the college’s Leadership Academy and the AmeriCorps program. “The support I received from professors who engaged me convinced me to stay—they pushed me to do my absolute best.”

Ebron plans to study economics and hopes to attend Syracuse University for his bachelor’s degree.

Katherine Neslund donned cap and gown to enjoy the pageantry of graduation and walk with fellow theatre graduate Justin Camp. Neslund credits GPC’s theatre program for giving her extensive behind-the-scenes technical experience. A December graduate, she already has a job as production manager with Seven Stages Theater in Atlanta.

Ebron and Neslund were among the 586 candidates for graduation who turned out with families and friends for GPC’s 48th commencement at the Atlanta Civic Center. There were a total of 2,063 candiates for graduation.

Rob Watts, GPC’s interim president, welcomed the crowd and noted that the youngest GPC graduate was just 17—a dual enrollment student who received her associate degree before her high school diploma. “And the wisest—I won’t say oldest—graduate is 71,” he added.

New this year was a special recognition of graduates who also are veterans; those attending the ceremony received red, white and blue honor cords and were asked to stand during the event.

Dr. Mark Becker, president of Georgia State University, gave the commencement address. As a graduate of a two-year college and the first in his family to attend college, Becker encouraged students to follow their passion in life.

He also emphasized the need to help others along the way. “As your ‘to do’ list grows longer, it’s equally important to be compassionate and care for others,” he said. 

Dean Alford, a regent with the University System of Georgia, congratulated the students on their degrees and their tenacity. “Sixty-five percent of the state’s population does not have a college degree, and more than 1.1 million people in the state started college but quit,” he said. “The fact is, it could have been easy to quit, but you did not quit.”

After singing GPC’s alma mater, students cheered as Watts congratulated the class of 2014 and asked them to move their cap tassels from the right side to the left side, signifying their graduation.

Sherry Savage was ecstatic. At 52, she was finally receiving her associate degree after years of putting it off. Now she is ready to tackle her bachelor degree at Georgia State University.

“I am so happy. GPC did a phenomenal job, and today is a really special day,” she said.

Georgia Perimeter College 2014 Graduates by the Numbers

Total graduates: 2063

            Summer 2013 graduates:       389

            Fall 2013 graduates:               586

            Spring 2014 candidates:         1088

Gender:

            Female:          1362

            Male:              701

Age:

            Youngest:       17

            Oldest:            71

            Average:         29

            Median:          26

Most graduates by major:

            Business Administration       597

            Health Info Admin                 178

            Nursing                                 167

            Psychology                            162

Countries Represented: 96

Graduates taking at least one online course: 1704