Middle Georgia State University Announces Spring 2026 Commencement Speakers

Macon, GA

Middle Georgia State University (MGA) has announced its lineup of speakers for the spring 2026 commencement ceremonies, scheduled for May 13-14 on the Macon Campus. This year’s speakers bring experience and leadership from law, business, construction, and healthcare, reflecting the diverse fields represented by MGA graduates.

Dr. Keisha Reneé Callins is the commencement speaker for the 9 a.m. ceremony on Wednesday, May 13. Callins is an OB/GYN and chief wellness officer with Community Health Care Systems Inc., through which she provides critical maternity care in areas designated as maternity care deserts. She is also a professor in the Department of Community Medicine at Mercer University School of Medicine. Her career includes significant leadership and public service, including roles with the National Health Service Corps and appointments to several statewide advisory boards. She holds degrees from the University of Virginia, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Morehouse School of Medicine.

Sara Murph will speak at the noon ceremony on Wednesday, May 13. Murph is chief financial officer and partner at Parrish Construction Group and an alumna of Macon State College, now MGA. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business and information technology and later completed a Master of Business Administration from Georgia College & State University. A certified public accountant and licensed general contractor, Murph has built a career spanning banking, finance, and construction. She is an active civic leader across Middle Georgia and was named to Georgia Trend magazine’s 2025 “40 Under 40,” recognizing the state’s top young professionals.

Dr. Robert Spaulding will deliver the address at the 3 p.m. ceremony on Wednesday, May 13. Spaulding, founder and owner of McDonough Youth Smiles Kids Dental Clinic, began his academic journey at Gordon College before earning a degree in respiratory therapy and later a bachelor’s degree in biology from the former Middle Georgia State College. He went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Meharry Medical College in 2020. Spaulding’s professional focus is on expanding access to dental care for children, and he plans to open a clinic in Macon. His message to graduates emphasizes perseverance and the importance of overcoming challenges.

Jonathan Alderman will speak at the 9 a.m. ceremony on Thursday, May 14. The managing partner of the law firm Anderson, Walker, & Reichert in Macon, Alderman grew up in Cochran and attended the former Middle Georgia College (now MGA), where his father was once president. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Georgia, where he founded Gamma Beta Phi, a scholarship/service society. Alderman earned his Juris Doctor from the UGA School of Law. He has been president or chairman of the Macon Rotary Club, Ocmulgee Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, the Macon-Bibb Workforce Investment Board, and other civic or charitable organizations.

James Fritze will speak at the noon ceremony on Thursday, May 14. Fritze is president and CEO of NewTown Macon, where he leads efforts to support economic development and downtown revitalization. A certified public accountant, he holds both a B.B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business and has more than 25 years of experience across industries including healthcare, business services, and construction materials. Since joining NewTown in 2018 as chief financial officer and becoming president and CEO in 2024, Fritze has helped significantly expand the organization’s financial capacity, supporting local entrepreneurs and long-term community investment.

Also speaking at the ceremonies will be MGA’s two President’s Scholars for the Class of 2026: Chloe Mei Qi Rogers, an education major, and Jami Strickland, a social work major.

For more information about MGA’s spring 2026 commencement ceremonies, including schedules and livestream details, visit https://www.mga.edu/graduation/index.php.

April

Middle Georgia State University Announces Spring 2026 Commencement Speakers