Nearly 760 Students Set To Graduate At MGA’s Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies

Macon, GA

Middle Georgia State University (MGA) will celebrate nearly 760 graduates during spring 2026 commencement ceremonies, with students earning degrees at the doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s levels. In addition, MGA will confer its first honorary doctorates upon state leaders Robert Hatcher Sr. and Larry Walker Jr.

Five ceremonies are scheduled over two days: Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14. All ceremonies will take place at the Recreation & Wellness Center on MGA’s Macon Campus and will be livestreamed at mga.edu/live. Commencement speakers represent fields including community development, public health, dentistry, and commercial construction.

Among the candidates for graduation, 27 are expected to receive doctorates, 141 will earn master’s degrees or graduate-level certificates, and 460 will receive bachelor’s degrees. The remaining candidates are completing associate’s degrees or career-oriented certificates.

During this commencement season, MGA will confer the Honorary Doctor of Public Administration degree upon Larry Walker Jr. of Perry, former majority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, and Robert F. Hatcher Sr. of Macon, a prominent banking executive and key figure in educational and economic development. Both are former members of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents and were instrumental in MGA’s evolution into a state university.

This marks the first time MGA has awarded honorary doctorates.

Ceremony Schedule

Wednesday, May 13
9 a.m. – Commencement Speaker: Dr. Keisha Reneé Callins, OB/GYN and chief wellness officer with Community Health Care Systems Inc.; Professor, Mercer University School of Medicine.

School of Health and Natural Sciences
• Department of Nursing

Noon – Commencement Speaker: Sara Murph, CEO & Partner, Parrish Construction Group

School of Business

Department of Accounting and Finance
• Department of Management and Marketing
• Department of Health Services Administration

School of Education and Behavioral Science
• Department of Psychology and Criminal Justice

3 p.m. – Commencement Speaker: Dr. Robert Spaulding, Founder & Owner, McDonough Youth Smiles Kids Dental Clinic

School of Health and Natural Sciences
• Department of Natural Sciences
• Department of Respiratory Therapy and Health Science
• Department of Rehabilitation Science and Fitness

School of Aviation
• Department of Aviation Science and Management
• Department of Aviation Maintenance and Structural Technology
• Department of Air Traffic Management

Thursday, May 14
9 a.m. – Commencement Speaker: Jonathan Alderman, Managing Partner, Anderson, Walker, & Reichert, LLP

School of Education and Behavioral Science
• Department of Teacher Education and Social Work

School of Arts and Letters
• Department of English
• Department of History and Political Science
• Department of Media, Culture, and the Arts

Noon – Commencement Speaker: James Fritze, President & CEO, NewTown Macon

School of Computing
• Department of Information Technology
• Department of Mathematics and Statistics
• Department of Computer Science

Two graduating seniors who were named President’s Scholars for the Class of 2026 will also speak at the ceremonies. Jami Strickland, a social work major, will speak at the May 13 ceremonies. Chloe Mei Qi Rogers, an education major, will speak at the May 14 ceremonies.

MGA offers 70+ areas of study, including doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees, along with select career-oriented associate’s degrees and certificates. The University serves more than 8,800 students across campuses in Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins, as well as online. MGA’s alumni network includes 47,000+ graduates living and working across the United States and around the world.

April

Nearly 760 Students Set To Graduate At MGA’s Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies