Leaders In Healthcare, Business, Law, & Aviation To Give MGA’s Fall 2025 Commencement Addresses

Author: Sheron Smith
Posted: Monday, November 10, 2025 12:00 AM
Categories: Honors/Awards | School of Business | School of Computing | School of Aviation | School of Arts and Letters | School of Health and Natural Sciences | Students | Pressroom | School of Education and Behavioral Sciences

Macon, GA

Middle Georgia State University (MGA) will welcome five distinguished speakers to address graduates during fall 2025 commencement ceremonies, scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, and Thursday, December 11. 

About 825 students are candidates for graduation this fall, including the first class of the Doctor of Science in Public Safety. The ceremonies will take place in the Recreation & Wellness Center on MGA’s Macon Campus. 

Wednesday, December 10 

9 a.m. – Delvecchio S. Finley, Georgia Market president for Atrium Health, will deliver the first address. A Georgia native, Finley provides leadership and strategic direction for Atrium Health Navicent and Atrium Health Floyd. His more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience includes serving as CEO of Alameda Health System and LA County/Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He also serves on several state boards, including the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Research Alliance. Finley earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Emory University and a master’s in public policy from Duke University. 

Noon – Cade Joiner, founder of Shred-X Secure Document Destruction, will speak at the second ceremony. An entrepreneur and board chairman of the University System of Georgia Foundation, Joiner is the former chair of the National Federation of Independent Business of Georgia. His company, Shred-X, is one of the largest independent shredding companies in the Southeast. Joiner, a University of Georgia alumnus, is widely recognized for his work advancing small business in Georgia and has been featured in national media including Fox News, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal. 

3 p.m. – Eric Hendrick, director of pilot outreach for Delta Airlines, will address graduates at the final Wednesday ceremony. Hendrick, a retired U.S. Navy commander, has led a distinguished 33-year aviation career in both military and civilian sectors. At Delta, he oversees pilot hiring, pipeline development, and pilot diversity initiatives. A native of South Hill, Virginia, Hendrick continues to mentor aspiring aviators and encourage students to pursue careers in aviation. 

Thursday, December 11 

9 a.m. – Rebecca Liles Grist, solicitor-general of Macon-Bibb County, will speak at the first ceremony of the day. A lifelong Macon resident and community leader, Grist has served as solicitor-general since 2013 following a 16-year career as an assistant solicitor specializing in domestic violence prosecution. Named Georgia’s Solicitor-General of the Year in 2018, she serves on multiple professional and civic boards, including the Macon Rotary Club and the Crisis Line and Safe House. Grist holds degrees from Mercer University’s School of Law and the College of Charleston. 

Noon – Retired Maj. Gen. Thomas Grabowski, founder of Stardust Consulting and head of government business development at The Miner Agency, will deliver the final commencement address. Grabowski’s 37-year military career includes serving as commander of the Georgia Air National Guard and as Air Force deputy of total force integration at the Pentagon. A veteran pilot with more than 2,700 flight hours, he led the 116th Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base. He is a military consultant to Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) and is the state director of the Selective Service System for Georgia. Grabowski holds degrees from Georgia College & State University and Embry-Riddle University. 

Ca'Shun Barr, MGA’s current Student Government Association president and a graduating senior in aviation science and management, will bring remarks on behalf of the student body at all five graduation ceremonies. As SGA president, Barr engages with faculty, staff, and students to enhance student input and decision-making. His other roles at MGA have included serving as community assistant, OBAP president, and Phi Beta Sigma Chapter president.