Augusta University names Spring Commencement speakers  

As Augusta University gears up for its May undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies, three student speakers carefully selected to relay poignant messages to their graduating peers and two student soloists chosen to perform Augusta University’s alma mater and “The Star-Spangled Banner” prepare for their moment.

Steve Jones will serve as the student speaker and Madelyn Eden will be the student soloist for the Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 8, in the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center.

There will be two Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies, with Ta’zheara Butts serving as the student speaker and Beatrice Jackson the student soloist for the 10 a.m. ceremony on Friday, May 9, in the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center. Later that day, at 2 p.m., the second Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony will include Christina Waller as the student speaker with Jackson returning as the student soloist.

Graduate Ceremony Student Speaker Steve Jones – College of Education and Human Development  

The graduate-level commencement ceremony will spotlight Steve Jones, a candidate for a Doctor of Education in Educational Innovation in the College of Education and Human Development. He received his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Albany State University, his master’s degree in administration and supervision in education from Georgia College & State University and his specialist’s degree in school improvement from the University of West Georgia.

Jones has devoted 26 years to secondary education in Bibb County, Georgia, where he has served as a physical education teacher, literacy coach, assistant principal and principal. Now, as a principal supervisor, he supports district principals and teachers in creating tactics that build up educators.

“It’s been a surreal experience,” said Jones. “I actually had the opportunity for all of the principals that I supervise to sit in on the Zoom while myself and my team presented the dissertation. It was a vulnerable moment, but I wanted them to witness and see that we’re all vulnerable and learning together.”  

Jones was drawn to pursue his doctorate at Augusta University after receiving encouragement from a friend who was also enrolled, and, throughout the three-year program, he is proud to have chosen this institution. His educational journey is rooted in faith, family and friends. The love and support of his wife, Danielle, and daughter, Kennedi, motivated him to not only reach the finish line but to also continue dedicating his degrees to lost family members.

His parents, Edna and Roosevelt, and his brother, Russell, have remained at the heart of this journey. Jones dedicated his specialist’s degree to his brother, who would have graduated from college that same year, and then dedicated his doctorate degree to his parents, both educators in the Richmond County school system. He also extends this achievement to his remaining siblings, Randy and Robyn, reminding them that “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”

One of the guiding principles that carried Jones through this season came from his mother: “Always believe in the promises of God over the problems of the world.” This message became especially powerful on his first day of class, which fell on the anniversary of his family’s passing and marked a pivotal moment of realization that he would let Christ strengthen him in hard times. On difficult days, Jones praises the unwavering support received from program faculty, staff and classmates.

“I believe that we have one of the strongest, most tight-knit cohorts who have come in a long time,” said Jones. “We are all locked in – we have a real family atmosphere where we push each other the entire time because you have to be supportive of everyone since you don’t know what anyone else is going through.”

Jones is excited to take what he learned from Augusta University and share it with the world, which is exactly the message he hopes to share in his commencement speech. Those graduating will have more than just a degree to hang on their walls; they will have the education and values instilled in them by Augusta University. He hopes for everyone to disperse these core values, as if seeds of an apple, which can be planted and grown in those they inspire.

“Our program was innovative education, and I am truly leaving this establishment as a more innovative educator,” said Jones. “The program’s mission stood the test of time, and I am better as a result of it.”

Undergraduate Ceremony Speaker Ta’zheara Butts – Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Student  

Ta’zheara Butts is earning a Bachelor of Social Work degree with a minor in political science from the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She was drawn to Augusta University for several reasons, including nearby family, small class sizes and the campus culture.

While she may have changed her majors a few times at the beginning of her journey, she landed exactly where she is supposed to be.

“I was really drawn to social work because I had a lot of first-hand experience with social workers growing up, and I didn’t have the best experiences with them,” said Butts. “I never want a child to feel the way that I did when I was younger. I want to be a safe place for children, where they can speak up about things and what they’re going through.”

Butts recalls joining Housing and Residence Life’s resident assistant team and how it changed her educational direction. She is also a member of 1828 Ambassadors, the Mu Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pamplin Ambassadors and the Phi Alpha Honor Society.

Her campus positions opened her up to various friendships and mentors who provided advice, guidance and a judgment-free zone. It is because of these support systems that Butts credits her degree completion.

“One of the most important lessons that I’ve learned throughout these four years is that home can be anywhere,” Butts said. “When I first came here, since it didn’t feel like home at first, I was very closed off, and I didn’t put myself out there. Once I opened up more and realized that home is where there are people who love and support you, home became much more than an address.”

While immersing herself in the community, she also accumulated many volunteer hours with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta, Golden Harvest Food Bank and campus and sorority events.

When Butts first applied to be commencement speaker, she thought about the saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” While she was up against other great applicants, she was confident in her knowledge, skills and campus involvement.

“During my speech, I want to share my own personal college journey, along with the power of resilience and the meaning of home,” said Butts. “I want everyone to know that although they have spent the last few years here at Augusta University and they’ve made it their home, no matter where they go next, that place can be as much of a home as AU has been to them.”

After graduation, Butts will be moving to Chicago, Illinois, to begin her master’s degree in the social work program with specialization in child and family welfare at the University of Chicago. This advanced standing program is specifically designed for exceptional students who display dedication and knowledge in this field.

Undergraduate Ceremony Speaker Christina Waller – College of Nursing 

Christina Waller is earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the College of Nursing. She followed in her mother’s footsteps, who happens to be a double Jaguar graduate, in attending Augusta University, and she plans to return for her doctorate degree.

Waller is dedicated to campus involvement, serving in multiple roles in Greek and student organizations. She is the president of NAPturally Crowned, president of Order of Omega, vice president of the Mu Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., vice president of National Council of Negro Women, vice president of Black Greek Letter Organization and a member of the Black Student Nurses Society.

“I came to school to be more than a nursing student; I came to fulfill what I know that I’m capable of doing, like being a part of all these different organizations and being on the leadership board for half of them. I know that these are things that I can do and accomplish,” Waller said.

In fact, Waller is the recipient of the Ella Spring Jones Service Award, which honors her dedication to serving others. Her volunteer hours also apply on campus, where she contributes to the AU Open Paws Pantry and mentorship programs.

“I really enjoy being out there and helping people,” said Waller. “I like setting up tables, giving out burgers, making hot dogs, talking, laughing and joking with everyone.”  

Her commitment to serving others is deeply rooted in her family’s tradition of giving back. From an early age, she and her family would volunteer to feed the homeless once a month and during the holidays, along with organizing Christmas toy drives for children. She hopes to one day create a scholarship foundation in honor of her late best friend, Morgan Johnson, and grandmother, Josephine Ellen.  

Her family has provided a strong support system, including her parents, uncles and grandparents. They each offered their own support, ranging from a listening ear to an advocate to advice on medical devices and technology to fashion. On campus, she also found family within the Office of Student Life and Engagement, which especially helped with her commencement speaker application.

“For my speech, I want to leave my classmates with both a charge and a challenge,” said Waller. “I will charge you to carry forward everything you’ve gained here, not just the knowledge from textbooks or lectures, but the growth, the resilience and the late nights. And I challenge you to be bold in a world that often awards those who play it safe, to chase the dreams that scare you, and not just the ones that feel comfortable, and to define success on your own terms and not anyone else’s.”

In addition to graduate school, she will be starting at Piedmont Hospital as a nurse in the orthopedic unit. She will assist patients who have potentially undergone hip replacement surgery, knee surgery and broken bones. In the future, she hopes to work in psychiatric mental health through telehealth or a psychiatric office and eventually open her own office.