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Graduates encouraged to map their future
Their college journey started and ended in uncharted territory. But even a pandemic and new graduation venue did not keep the Class of 2025 from reaching the finish line.
“This has been a celebration long in the making,” said President Susanna Baxter. “From the time you were first born and held in loving arms, the momentum of your life started leading you to this moment. You were nurtured, encouraged and loved into becoming who you are today, a graduate.”
The event was held in LaGrange High School’s gymnasium due to heavy rain.
To begin the ceremony, a moment of silence was held for Jacob Brown and Stephen Bartolotta, two members of the Class of 2025 who tragically lost their lives in May 2022.
“They were dearly loved students in our close-knit community,” President Baxter said.
Stay the course
During the keynote address, Dr. Davin Mitchell, pain management physician and owner of Total Diagnostic and Interventional Pain in LaGrange, shared a story about his career path and then proceeded to tell graduates to ask themselves one simple question: “Why am I here?” He stressed the benefits of self-reflection through each life milestone.
“Be clear about your goals and evaluate your status honestly,” he said. “Plot a path to success, but don’t hold on to it too tightly. Chances are that it won’t work out the way you planned, but it will still work out in the end.”
As one’s purpose starts to come into focus, you are better protected from imposter syndrome, according to Dr. Mitchell, who battled self-doubt on his path to becoming a physician and beginning his own practice.
“Imposter syndrome will continue to show its ugly head and make you ask, ‘Why am I here?” he said. “When it does, just remember that you are exactly where you deserve to be.”
Kenzie Hornsby, recipient of the Waights G. Henry Jr. Leadership Award, used her speech as a platform to motivate her peers to get out of their comfort zone, stay engaged and serve others.
“To change the world, we have to start by changing our world first,” she said. “If we truly want to change the world around us, we must plug into it. We can create a better tomorrow.”
Pillars of the community
The late Pastor James L. Harris M’95 and Speer Burdette III HA ’12, visionary leaders in ministry and business dedicated to giving back to their communities through mentorship and advocacy, were awarded honorary doctorates at baccalaureate and commencement, respectively.
Pastor Harris was a devoted leader and teacher, firmly committed to education and to uplifting the next generation.
In his hometown of Manchester, Georgia, he pastored at A House of the Living God Church of Jesus Christ for 49 years, continuing to serve as a spiritual advisor until his passing in November 2024. Among his many achievements was the establishment of Christian Way Academy (1984–2014), a private school that instilled the values of integrity, perseverance and excellence.
Pastor Harris earned a Bachelor of Arts from Paine College and a Master of Education from LaGrange College.
Beyond the pulpit, he was an educator for over 30 years in the public-school systems of Meriwether, Harris, Talbot and Tift counties. He also shared his passion for teaching and mentorship as a professor at LaGrange College and an academic counselor for the Morehouse College Upward Bound program.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Carolyn J. Harris ’86, ’90, M’95, their eight adult children—Naomi ’97 (Carey), Antipas ’98, Norman ’99 (Alicia), Miriam ’00, Alexander ’02 (Emily), Alonzo ’04, David ’09 (Deborah) and Mia—and nine grandchildren.
Speer Burdette III is a retired businessman whose visionary leadership helped put into motion initiatives for the advancement of education and the betterment of the community.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in math from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Business Administration in accounting from the University of Alabama.
For 16 years, Burdette held the role of president at Fuller E. Callaway Foundation and Callaway Foundation, Inc. During his tenure, the Callaway Foundation was involved with projects that included Sweetland Amphitheatre, Wild Leap Brew Co., Del’avant Event Center, the AMC movie theater building, Courtyard by Marriott, downtown parking decks and Southbend Park.
After his retirement in 2018, he began Burdette Consulting LLC, where he serves as president.
With a background in accounting, he started out working as a senior auditor for Arthur Anderson & Co. in Atlanta from 1976-79 and then a partner at J.K. Boatwright & Co. in LaGrange from 1979-2002.
At LaGrange College, he was a consultant for the Board of Trustees from 1989-2000. He was named to the board in December 2000 and served on the Executive Committee and as Chair of the Investment Subcommittee. He received the Honorary Alumni Award in 2012.
Burdette serves on the boards of the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority, Industrial Development Authority, LaGrange Personal Aid Association, Medical Park Foundation and Wellstar West Georgia Health.
Also honored at the ceremony was Dr. Sonya Gaither ’93, recipient of the Distinguished Service Alumni Award. She is dean of libraries at Gordon State College and Clayton State University. (See the story on page 19.)
