More than 1,200 Augusta University students graduated on May 7-8 at the spring 2026 hooding and commencement ceremonies at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center.
Christine Crawford, ScD, a Harvard University trained epidemiologist and business leader, spoke at the Graduate Hooding and Commencement ceremony on May 7. She shared three dreams for the class of 2026: May you always sit at the front of the room to be open to learning, may you always be seen by others as well as yourself and may you always love your community and fully receive the love it gives back.
Christine Crawford, ScD, speaks at the spring 2026 Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony. [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]
“You will enter rooms, classrooms, board rooms, exam rooms, operatories, where assumptions will be made based on your age, your appearance, your accent. You may be in places where y’all isn’t considered a proper plural pronoun. But in those moments, remember this: your patients see you. Your clients see you. Your students see you. They are grateful you showed up prepared, present and ready to serve. My dream for you is this: that you never forget to see yourself the way that they do,” Crawford said.
Brig. Gen. Jacob Middleton [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]
Brig. Gen. Jacob Middleton (BA ’91), commanding general of U.S. Space Forces Europe and Space Forces Africa, spoke to graduates at both undergraduate commencement ceremonies on May 8. A proud alumnus of the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, he shared three hard truths he learned during his time at Augusta University that established his personal foundation: life is not fair, don’t let difficulty of reaching the destination in life deter you and the importance of receiving mentorship and mentoring others.
“A mentor is someone who can see things in you that you cannot see in yourself. We’re all mentors, we all have an obligation to see in others the things they cannot see themselves. You never know when your moment is going to come but trust me that this university is preparing you for every moment you’re going to face. You’re ready,” he said.
A highlight of this semester’s commencement included the first graduating cohort of the Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience program. Karthik Arora, set to begin classes at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University this fall, is grateful for the foundation the neuroscience program provided for his future.
The inaugural cohort of the neuroscience program. [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]
“Being part of this program has been one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience,” Arora said. “It pushed me, challenged me and helped me figure out what I want to do next. I’m proud to have been part of the first class.”
Three student speakers, chosen through a selection process by AU’s Student Government Association, gave powerful remarks about overcoming imposter syndrome, realizing you’re not late by the world’s standards and how AU prepared graduates for the next chapter of life.
[Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]
“You belong in every room your name is called into. Do not shrink your voice to make others feel comfortable. Do not question your worth because you’re still learning. Do not be afraid to take up space in environments that were built without you in mind. You are just starting out; you are trained, equipped and capable.”
Mahogany Davis, Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony speaker, College of Education and Human Development alumna
[Michael Holahan/Augusta University]
“It’s funny that we call this day that marks the end of years of labor, commencement. Ironic that the word commencement means ‘the beginning’ or ‘the start’. To those who think they’re behind, that they didn’t achieve that four-year mark, look, you made it! Here at commencement, we are all at the beginning. Here, we know we are not late, we are right on time.”
Emmanuel Faminu, Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony I speaker, School of Computer and Cyber Sciences alumnus
[Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]
“In college, I realized life is just one big project … When you finish a project, it’s something you typically present proudly, ‘Look, here’s what I’ve done!’ ‘Look, here’s what I’ve accomplished, and these are the people that helped me do it.’ Today is that presentation. Augusta University has aided us all in our project with a unique college experience, providing us space to grow and change, challenge us to achieve higher goals, offered opportunities for leadership and recognition and introduced us to some of our best friends.”
Alex Gonzalo, Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony II speaker, Hull College of Business alumnus
Graduate students pose with Augustus [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]Tiana Curry-McCoy, PhD, leads the faculty processional at the Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]Xea-Jane Maddox sings the National Anthem at the Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony. [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]Annette Rainge, DMD, president of the Augusta University Alumni Association, welcomes graduate students to the AU alumni community [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]2nd Lt. Olivia Woodely takes the oath of office during the Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]President Russell T. Keen shakes hands with Isabella Burgess, DMD, the Dental College of Georgia’s Outstanding Senior. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]Ana-Sophia Chung, MD, hugs Medical College of Georgia Dean David Hess, MD, at the Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony. [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]Augusta University President Russell T. Keen shakes hands with a graduate crossing the stage at the Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]College of Allied Health Sciences Dean Lester Pretlow, PhD, shakes hands with a graduate student during the Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony. [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]Doctoral students prepare to cross the stage at the Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]Bradley Boswell, PhD, leads graduate students in the Graduate Student Oath. [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]Mahogany Davis rings the Arsenal Bell to conclude the Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]Augustus poses with an undergraduate student. [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]Greek life participants pose with Augustus before undergraduate commencement on May 8. [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]Undergraduate student smile before commencement on May 8. [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]Undergraduate students at the second undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 8. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]An undergraduate student takes a selfie with Augustus. [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]Amy Richardson, president of Augusta University’s Summerville Alumni Society, welcomes undergraduates to the AU alumni community. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]2nd Lt. Aidan Ruby shakes hands with Lt. Col. Adrian Acevedo during the first undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 8. [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]Andre’l Shuman, our outgoing Student Government Association vice president, rings the Arsenal Bell to conclude the first undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 8. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]Brandon Stewart leads commencement guests and participants in the national anthem. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]Dental College of Georgia’s Vice Dean Kevin Frazier, DMD, shakes hands with a dental hygiene undergraduate student. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]Alex Gonzalo rings the Arsenal Bell to conclude the second undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 8. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]Undergraduate students celebrate their graduation following their commencement ceremony. [Paula Toole/Savannah Evan Photography]
Haley Crain is the Communications Specialist for the Division of Instruction & Innovation at Augusta University. Contact her to schedule an interview on this topic at hcrain@augusta.edu.
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