Skip to content
Piedmont University
  • Academics
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Giving
  • Athletics

Piedmont News

  1. Home
  2. 2022
  3. April
  4. 27
  5. Piedmont University Graduations Are May 6; Former First Lady Sandra Deal to Receive Honorary Degree
  • Events
Back to news
Related Stories
  • From Track to the Lab: Piedmont Biology Major Heads to San Diego State for Graduate School

    Graduate leverages research experience and athletic discipline for a future in scientific discovery Piedmont University

    Keep Reading
  • Piedmont Nursing Graduates Take Part in Pinning Ceremony

    At last week's pinning ceremonies, there were happy tears, hugs, and hoorays all around for

    Keep Reading
Contact Newsroom
Office of Public Affairs
Phone: 850-591-3553
Email: rfargason@piedmont.edu News Archive
Apr 27, 2022
/ Campus News ,Featured ,News ,Nursing ,Student Stories

Piedmont University Graduations Are May 6; Former First Lady Sandra Deal to Receive Honorary Degree

Sandra Deal

Nearly 400 students will graduate from Piedmont University on May 6, during ceremonies that will include the conferring of an honorary degree on former First Lady of Georgia Sandra Deal and remarks by Metro Atlanta Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Katie Kirkpatrick.

“We could not be prouder of our graduates. We look forward to celebrating with them and their families, and officially welcoming them into the Piedmont University alumni family,” said President James F. Mellichamp.

“To the members of the Class of 2022, congratulations and well done.”

Here is a closer look at the spring 2022 graduating class:

  • The class includes 381 graduates.
  • Graduates represent 11 states, including Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
  • Degrees being conferred include the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Arts in Teaching, Education Specialist, and Doctor of Education.

Deal will receive an honorary Doctor of Education degree in recognition of her many years of service to education. Deal taught in Georgia public schools for 15 years. During her role as First Lady, from 2011 to 2019, she read to students in each of the state’s 159 counties, visiting more than 1,000 schools to promote literacy and student achievement. She is the mother of a Piedmont alumna and a member of the university’s Board of Trustees.

“Mrs. Deal has dedicated her life to serving others, particularly students. Her work both in the classroom and as an advocate for education is nothing short of inspiring. We are thrilled to have the chance to celebrate her contributions and to give her a forum for addressing our graduates,” Mellichamp said.

Deal will accept her degree during the undergraduate ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on May 6. Deal said she will use her remarks to encourage the graduates to help others achieve their own educational goals.

“I want to encourage them to help make education possible for other people and to never stop improving their own education,” she said. “I believe in being a lifelong learner.”

Kirkpatrick joined the Atlanta Metro Chamber in 2007 and held numerous roles before taking the helm of the organization. She will speak at the graduate ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on May 6.

Both ceremonies will take place at the Johnny Mize Athletic Center & Museum on Piedmont’s Demorest campus. Tickets are required to attend. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed. For more information, visit piedmont.edu/academics/commencement.

Share This Story
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Previous Article
Next Article
Piedmont University
Contact
  • P.O. Box 10 | 1021 Central Avenue
    Demorest, Georgia | 30535
  • Phone: 1-800-277-7020
  • E-Mail: info@piedmont.edu
Helpful Links
  • Self-Service
  • Internal Quick Links (Formerly PilgrimNet)
  • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Campus Safety
  • Library
  • Information Technology
  • Payments
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • Title IX Disclosures
  • Submit Title IX Complaint
  • Consumer Disclosures
  • Accessibility
  • Employment
  • Meritain Transparency in Coverage
  • Academics
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Giving
  • Athletics
  • About Piedmont
    • Our History
    • Vision, Mission & Values
    • Leadership
    • Rankings, Recognitions, and Outcomes
    • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Academics
    • Academic Catalog
    • Piedmont Promise
    • College of Arts & Sciences
    • College of Education
    • College of Nursing & Health Sciences
    • Walker College of Business
    • Online Programs
    • Library
  • Admissions & Aid
    • Apply
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Financial Aid
    • Request Information
    • Accepted Students
    • Tuition & Fees
    • Student Accounts
    • Piedmont University Viewbook
    • Parents & Families
  • Alumni
  • Campus Life
    • OARS (Office of Accessibility, Resources, and Services)
    • Residence Life
    • Student Support Services
    • Student Handbook
  • Resources
  • The Fine Arts at Piedmont
  • Info For…
    • Future Students
    • Current Students
    • Alumni & Friends
  • Piedmont News
  • Piedmont Events
  • Academics
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Giving
  • Athletics