The university has announced who will be speaking at its undergraduate and graduate ceremonies in May 2024: Allison Schmitt and Jenna Jambeck, respectively.

Graduate speaker, Jenna Jambeck, a 2022 MacArthur Fellow and founder of the Circularity Informatics Lab at UGA, has dedicated two decades to researching solid waste issues, marine debris, and plastic pollution. Her work has garnered international recognition and has drawn the attention of Congressional leaders, the G7, the G20, and the United Nations Environment program. Since 2017, she has also served as an international informational speaker for the U.S. Department of State, engaging in public environmental diplomacy. Additionally, she co-developed the Marine Debris Tracker, a mobile app empowering citizen scientists to identify trash and debris worldwide, with users documenting over 8 million pieces to date.

Dr. Jambeck is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor in Environmental Engineering at the University of Georgia’s College of Engineering.

Speaking to the undergrad class is Allison Schmitt, one of the most decorated American athletes of all time and University of Georgia alumna. Schmitt received her B.A. in psychology from UGA in 2014. She is a four-time Olympian and 10-time Olympic medalist in swimming, as well as being an avid mental health advocate. In 2023, she received her master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University.

Commencement Information:

Be sure to mark your calendars to celebrate all your hard work at the Spring Graduate Ceremony. See below for important information regarding the commencement ceremony.

General Information:

Location: Stegeman Coliseum

Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024

Master’s/Specialists Ceremony Time:
Start Time: 10:00 a.m.
Doors Open: 8:00 a.m.

Reminders:

Regalia Orders are open. To ensure on-time delivery for items shipped to you, we recommend ordering at least 6 weeks in advance of commencement.

Tickets are not required for the graduate ceremony. Please also note, the clear bag policy is in effect for all commencement ceremonies.

If you are unable to be in Athens for the ceremony, view the live broadcast on the commencement webpage that will start at 9:55 a.m. (EST)

Assembly Instructions

Graduate degree candidates will report to the basketball practice gym on the second floor of the Stegeman Coliseum Training Facility 1 hour prior to the ceremony start time. Enter through the doors closest to the Carlton Street Parking Deck.

For more information, visit the Graduate Commencement page.

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