Desiree Carver | The Valdosta Daily TimesGraduates fill the seats of Bazemore Hyder Stadium Saturday evening for Valdosta State University's 221st commencement ceremony. 

VALDOSTA, Ga. — With fireworks and a guest speaker, Valdosta State University unveiled its new graduation ceremony Saturday night for its 221st commencement.

Separate ceremonies were held throughout the day including the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Commissioning Ceremony, Graduate School Convocation, Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration Convocation, James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services Convocation, College of Arts Convocation, College of Nursing and Health Sciences Convocation and College of Arts and Science Convocation.

In previous years, the separate college graduations served as the only ceremony for students. However, Valdosta State University decided to try a new ceremony this year that would honor all of its graduates with one event at day’s end.

“Because earning a university degree is a profound rite of passage, the entire day will be devoted to celebrating each graduate’s scholarly achievements with a full, meaningful experience,” stated a Valdosta State University press release.

This graduation ceremony was held in Bazemore Hyder Stadium.

After an introduction from Dr. Cecil Staton, VSU interim president, President’s Award for Academic Excellence recipients were recognized. The award is presented to the graduating students with the highest grade point average in each of VSU’s five colleges.

Recipients are Peter Powers for the College of the Arts, Mara Charles for James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services, Jesse Wayson for the College of Arts and Sciences, Patricia Lawrence for Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration and Katherine Younker for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

They each served as the official banner holders for their respective colleges.

The ceremony also included a commencement address by USAA Chief Executive Officer and VSU Alumnus Stuart Parker.

Parker graduated from VSU with a degree in business administration and was a distinguished graduate from the Air Force ROTC program. He was named USAA chief operating officer in May 2014 and became CEO-elect in August 2014.

He is a lifetime member of the Air Force Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America and Veterans, Military Officers Association of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Parker spoke about his time in Valdosta and how happy he was to be back on the campus speaking to graduates.

“After 10 years of flying in the Air Force, at the age of 31, I was medically discharged,” said Parker. “I decided to pursue another passion: a love of business. I decided to go back to school to study finance. Be open to any direction of your life. Push yourself to the point that you fail and learn from those failures. Please do not chase money. Do not chase status. Do not chase the limelight. They are fleeting and will not sustain you for the long haul.”

After Parker spoke, the graduates were recognized.

The night ended with a five-minute fireworks display. 

Desiree Carver is Lifestyles Editor at the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be reached at (229) 375-5777.