AMERICUS, Ga. — The following area residents were among approximately 450 students who graduated from Georgia Southwestern State University during the Fall 2017 Commencement Ceremony held on Dec. 8 in Convocation Hall of the Student Success Center.

• Alivia Smith of Moultrie earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting.

• Hannah Cato of Moultrie earned a Master of Education in early childhood education.

• Jamie Whigham of Meigs earned a Master of Education in early childhood education.

• Stephanie Morris of Coolidge earned a Master of Education in special education.

• Torey Wingate of Moultrie earned a Master of Education in middle grades education.

• Amanda Powell of Doerun earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.

• Shanna Boyd of Moultrie earned a Specialist in Education in early childhood education.

• Candice Gay of Moultrie earned a Specialist in Education in early childhood education.

• Susan Hagin of Doerun earned a Specialist in Education in early childhood education.

• Keri Johnson of Coolidge earned a Specialist in Education in early childhood education.

• Caitlyn McFarland of Doerun earned a Specialist in Education in early childhood education.

• Kelly Parramore of Ochlocknee earned a Specialist in Education in early childhood education.

• Gwen Warr of Ochlocknee earned a Specialist in Education in early childhood education.

• Lanie West of Coolidge earned a Specialist in Education in early childhood education.

• Katrina Carmichael of Moultrie earned a Specialist in Education in middle grades education.

The commencement speaker was University System of Georgia Chancellor Emeritus Stephen Portch, Ph.D.

Georgia Southwestern State University, located in Americus, Ga., is a public, four-year unit of the University System of Georgia with more than 3,000 students. Georgia Southwestern offers outstanding professional programs of study as well as degrees in the arts, humanities, sciences and graduate programs in business, computer science, education, English, and nursing. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southwestern is recognized as one of the best colleges in the South. Visit www.gsw.edu for more information.