East Georgia State College held its Fall 2020 Commencement Ceremony virtually on Dec. 12. The ceremony was presented on EGSC’s YouTube and Facebook page. To view the ceremony and more information about the event, visit http://www.ega.edu/2020-Fall-Commencement.
The ceremony began with a welcome from former EGSC President Dr. Bob Boehmer, followed by student speakers, an alumni speaker and a guest commencement speaker. Students performed God Bless America and the EGSC Alma Mater.
The commencement speaker for the ceremony was Dr. George Fredrick, Director of Military and Veteran Services at Georgia Southern University. A native of Fairfax, S.C., Dr. Fredrick was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Texas State University as an Infantryman in 1987, with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He also holds two master’s degrees — a Master of Military Art and Science from Ft. Leavenworth School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) and a Master’s in Personnel Administration from Central Michigan University, a Specialist in Education Administration from Columbus State University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University. His military education includes completion of the Infantry Officers’ Basic and Advanced Courses, the Army Command and General Staff College, School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JPME), Ranger School, Airborne School and Air Assault School.
In Dr. Fredrick’s speech, he congratulated the graduates and reminded them to stay connected to their family, their money and their learning.
“Graduating class, you thrived, you excelled, you achieved in spite of COVID-19 and we are very proud of you,” said Dr. Fredrick. “At this point in your life I want you to be thinking about your dreams. I want you to dream big. I want you to reach for the moon and if you land on the stars you are going to be okay. Dreams and goals are important, and at this point in your life you need to have them.”
Prior to becoming Director of Military and Veteran Services in February of this year, Dr. Fredrick was the Scholarship and Enrollment Officer Army ROTC at Georgia Southern.
He is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3d OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3d OLe), Army Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Award, and the Korean Service Medal.
Serving as ROTC Battalion Commander and U.S. Army Officer at Georgia Southern University, George Fredrick was promoted to the rank of Colonel in April 2011. He is affectionately known by colleagues, students and friends as “Colonel Fred.”
The alumni speaker for the virtual ceremony was Alexandra Rios. Rios is the Bilingual Multimedia Journalist/Reporter at NBC Right Now in Kennewick, Washington. She graduated from the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications in 2019. Rios served as the UGA vice president of National Hispanic Journalist Association, UGA social media coordinator of National Press Photographers Association and director of social media assistant of DiGamma Kappa Professional Broadcast Society.
Prior to transferring to UGA, Rios was a Correll Scholar and 2017 Cum Laude graduate with an Associate of Arts in Communication Arts at East Georgia State College. As an Ambassador at EGSC, she was very involved in student life. She is from Swainsboro and aspires to be an international reporter.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the EGSC student body was Student Government Association President, Precious Coleman. Coleman is from Eastman, GA, and her parents are Derrick Coleman and Pamela Clark. She is a member of the Spring 2021 graduating class of EGSC majoring in Criminal Justice.
Following graduation from EGSC, she plans to attend Mercer University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in information technology with a minor in data analytics.
Coleman encouraged graduates to never give up no matter how many times they may fail.
