Some 1,315 Students Eligible for Degrees Aug. 1

An estimated 1,315 students will be eligible to receive degrees at the University of Georgia’s summer commencement exercises Aug. 1 at 9:30 a.m. in Stegeman Coliseum.

The exercises are a combined ceremony for undergraduate and graduate students who complete degree requirements at the end of summer semester. About 730 candidates for bachelor’s degrees and 585 candidates for doctoral, master’s and specialist in education degrees are anticipated to be eligible to participate in the ceremony. Final numbers won’t be known until the conclusion of final exams on July 31.

Suzanne Yoculan, retiring head coach who has led the University of Georgia’s women’s gymnastics team to ten NCAA championships—the most in NCAA history—will be the speaker for the university’s summer commencement exercises.

In her 26 years at UGA, Yoculan’s team has also produced 16 Southeastern Conference titles, 21 NCAA Regional crowns, 37 individual NCAA champions, 306 All-America citations and 836 career victories. She guided her team to the nation’s top three in 20 of the last 21 years. In 19 of her 26 years, Yoculan led Georgia to an SEC title, an NCAA title or both. She was chosen as the National Coach of the Year five times and the SEC Coach of the Year eight times. Under Yoculan, only three gymnasts have left UGA without their degrees, and no gymnast has ever transferred from UGA’s program.

As part of the ceremony, two undergraduates will be recognized as First Honor Graduates for having maintained perfect 4.0 grade point averages on all undergraduate-level work. The students include Dustin Charles Elliott from Athens who is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. Additionally, George Frederick Akers from Atlanta is graduating with a bachelor of arts in journalism with a major in advertising. He was previously recognized as a First Honor Graduate when he received a bachelor of arts degree in theatre.

The ceremony will be broadcast live on University Cable Channel 15 and streamed live on the UGA Web site.

Fall semester classes at UGA begin Aug. 17 and a commencement will be held Dec. 18 for students who complete degree requirements in the fall.