What does it take to complete your college journey, earn your degree and receive your diploma? According to Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) president Dr. Jann L. Joseph, it takes grit, growth and greatness – a message woven throughout both commencement ceremonies held in the Convocation Center on December 12.
More than 500 graduates proved that grit, growth and greatness lead to remarkable achievement as they crossed the stage to receive their diplomas. The fall class of 2025 represented the United States and 32 additional countries, with nearly 30 percent earning academic honors. More than one in four were first-generation college graduates.
The morning ceremony featured student speaker Rebecca Morillon, who earned a bachelor’s degree in health science with a concentration in public health. Personal fears kept her from enrolling in college after high school, but she took a bold step by serving in the United States Marine Corps, where she completed four years of honorable service. She later worked with veterans, helping them access critical benefits.
After the birth of her son, Morillon found herself at a crossroads – and once again chose courage by enrolling at GGC.
“Becoming a parent gives you a different mindset, a more determined one,” she said. “Failing is not the end, but merely the beginning of a beautiful, new journey you never even thought of. As you enter this new journey in life, I say to you: do not be afraid of failure.”
Her next celebration will come in just a few months with the birth of her second son.
During the afternoon ceremony, Sára Ivánfai shared her journey from her home country of Hungary to GGC. Encouraged by a friend to pursue a study abroad opportunity, she was selected as one of only 30 students as part of the Georgia Rotary Student Program. Adjusting to a new country, language and culture was challenging – and homesickness often followed – but Ivánfai embraced the experience. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
“Through every struggle, I learned that growth isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about becoming more of who you are,” she said. “Beyond the chaos, the homesickness and the challenges, I found courage, purpose, and a voice that I will carry with me far beyond this stage today. I came here to gain an education that I could use to transform lives. And today, I am realizing a piece of that dream.”
Keynote speaker, Dr. Deep Shah, vice chair-elect of the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents, told the graduates they are leaving with more than one degree. He said the first degree is FIO, figure it out.
“Employers want you to use what you've learned here in order to solve problems,” he said.
The next FIO degree is to fight it out.
“This degree takes the concept of resourcefulness to the next level,” he said. “Are you willing, in the age of social media and so-called expert influencers, to fight for what you believe?”
The last one Shah said, is FIOH degree, the forgiveness in our hearts, and the most challenging.
“It is very easy to have strong opinions,” he said. “What is hard is to find common ground with those who may disagree, and perhaps even harder is to forgive those who we feel may have wronged us in those disagreements. And it is still even harder to forgive ourselves. But that is what a college education should provide you – perspective to do just that.”
Shah said the graduates’ bachelor’s degrees, along with the FIO degrees, will carry them far.
“You are graduating knowing how to figure it out, fight it out, and forgive in your heart,” he said. “And on behalf of your new village – we look forward to standing beside you every step of the way.”