VALDOSTA— Valdosta State University Blazers burned bright Saturday at the 225th commencement ceremony for undergraduates. 

VSU President Dr. Richard Carvajal opened the ceremony by congratulating the graduates. 

“May the Class of 2018 forever be known as the class that changed the world,” Carvajal said. 

The commencement speech was given by VSU alumna Amy Carter, who serves as deputy commissioner for Rural Georgia at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. 

Carvajal said Carter’s career is an example of what an education at VSU can provide, and he said VSU is proud she got her start at the university. 

Carter shared with graduates what she learned following her VSU graduation 25 years ago. 

“Here’s one thing time has taught me: there’s no single path,” she said. “There are just many twists, turns, crossroads and even unbeaten paths, and odds are you’ll spend a lot of time on those.” 

Carter provided the graduates with advice for their winding future paths, advice that she said they may not have learned while studying. 

“Do not chew gum at a job interview, and do come prepared with a pen and your resume in hand” Carter said.

She said from her experience, those who give a little extra are successful, which she said could mean staying late to finish a project or acknowledging everyone at one’s job. 

“Whining will get you nowhere,” she said. “Take responsibility for your actions and blame no one else.” 

She said VSU has provided the graduates with a foundation and now they may build upon it. 

“Valdosta State created a foundation for me, it has created a foundation for you and I hope you build upon what you’ve learned here as you take on the world,” she said. “Always remember the difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.” 

The President’s Award for Academic Excellence was presented to Logan Crace, Hamilton Whitford, Susannah Harvel, Christine Zeigler and Sarah Henderson. 

Kimberly Cannon is a Reporter with The Valdosta Daily Times. Her extension is 1376.