About
Georgia State University will celebrate its Fall Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia Dome on December 15, 2008 at 6 p.m.
History and Academic Tradition
A History of Georgia State University
Georgia State University was founded in 1913 as the Georgia Institute of Technology's "Evening School of Commerce." Holding classes in rented space in downtown Atlanta, the school moved its location several times to surroundings that could accommodate the increasing enrollment. Wayne S. Kell, distinguished member of the Georgia Tech staff, directed the School during this early period. Kell Hall is named in his honor.
In 1928, Dr. George M. Sparks became director of the institution at a time when Georgia and the nation moved into a severe depression. He later served as the first president. Sparks Hall, a major building on the campus housing administrative offices and classrooms today, recognizes his contribution to the institution.
When the reorganization of state government created a Board of Regents to govern the University System of Georgia, the Regents decided that the Georgia Tech Evening School of Commerce should be an independent college in the new System. Independent throughout the Depression and World War II, the Tech School of Commerce was incorporated by the Board of Regents into the program of the University of Georgia in 1947. At that time the institution became the "Atlanta Division of the University of Georgia."
In 1955 the Regents separated Georgia State from the University of Georgia; it was given the title "Georgia State College of Business Administration." By 1961 the Board of Regents changed the name to "Georgia State College.” In 1957 Noah Langdale, Jr., became second president upon the retirement of Dr. Sparks. In recognition of the academic advances made by the institution--and the services it offered both to students and to the community--the Board of Regents changed the name once more to Georgia State University in 1969. The university acquired research status in 1996.
The Board of Regents named Dr. William M. Suttles Georgia State University's third president. On July 1, 1989, Dr. John Michael Palms became the University's fourth president. Dr. Carl V. Patton was appointed the fifth president of Georgia State University on July 1, 1992.
University Mace
The University Mace is carried in front of the Platform Party for convocation, presidential inaugurations, commencement ceremonies and other significant university events. The Mace is a symbol of dignity and authority and displays a variety of symbols unique to the University. The Georgia State University Mace was created in 1990 for the university’s first presidential inauguration ceremony.
Presidential Medallion
The presidential medallion is an integral part of the President's graduation regalia. It is unique to the university and will be passed on to the next University President. A competition was held in 1990 asking students to design a medallion to be used at the University's first official inauguration ceremony. The design of Masters of Fine Arts student, Julia Woodman, was selected. The Georgia State University medallion is a combination of sterling silver and 14-karat gold.
Alma Mater
Alma Mater, we are loyal to the name of Georgia State.
Love and honor we accord thee and devotion from our hearts.
In respect and veneration we shall always hold thy name.
Nurturer of light and knowledge we shall ever tell thy fame.
Happy are thy sons and daughters spread abroad throughout the land.
Knowing that we are forever part of thine own faithful band.
Where the paths of life are crowded, we have known thy pleasant bond;
And the love of Alma Mater we shall never pass beyond.
Georgia State University's Alma Mater was written by former Dean of Students, Kenneth England. It is sung to the tune of Beethoven's Ode to Joy.
Commencement Speaker - The Honorable Andrew Young
The Honorable Andrew Young is chairman of Atlanta-based GoodWorks International, a specialty consulting group that provides strategic services to corporations and governments operating in the global economy. He serves as a public affairs professor of policy studies at Georgia State University's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. Young also is a member of the boards of directors of numerous businesses and organizations, including Delta Air Lines, Argus, Host Marriott Corp., Archer Daniels Midland, Cox Communications and Thomas Nelson Publishing.
He served as president of the National Council of Churches in 2000-2001, and was appointed by the Secretary of Defense as a member of the National Security Study Group. In 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed Young as chairman of the Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund, a $100 million privately managed fund to provide equity to businesses in 11 countries. Young is an ordained minister, international businessman, sports enthusiast, human rights activist, published author and former public servant. He was elected to three terms in the United States House of Representatives from the Fifth Congressional District of Georgia, and, in 1977, President Jimmy Carter named him Ambassador to the United Nations. He served two terms as mayor of Atlanta and was co-chairman of the Centennial Olympic Games in 1996.
Young has published two books, A Way Out of No Way (Thomas Nelson Publishing) and An Easy Burden (Harper Collins). His awards include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Legion d’Honneur and more than 45 honorary degrees from such universities as Yale, Notre Dame, Emory and the University of Georgia. A top aide to Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement, Young was involved in the movement's inception and served as vice president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He presently serves on the board of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change.
A father of four, Young lives in Atlanta with his wife, Carolyn.
Honorary Degree Recipient - John C. Portman, Jr., Chairman, John Portman & Associates, Inc.
Recognized throughout the world for his innovative design, John Portman did not always follow traditional paths. Always eager to try new concepts, early in his career he pioneered the role of architect as developer to allow more freedom in implementation of his design concepts. His keen business sense and entrepreneurial spirit enabled him to develop many profitable projects.
His impact is greatest on his hometown of Atlanta where today the 13-block Peachtree Center complex attests to his commitment to the downtown business district and includes many of his landmark projects. Peachtree Center began in 1960 with the opening of the Atlanta Merchandise Mart. The Mart has since grown to become AmericasMart, the world’s largest single wholesale marketplace. By stimulating trade and tourism, Portman was the catalyst that established Atlanta as one of the nation’s premiere convention cities. His three major downtown hotels, the Hyatt Regency, Westin Peachtree Plaza, and Marriott Marquis, anchor the convention district. From the opening of the Hyatt Regency in 1967, with its 22-story atrium, Portman made architectural history and won international acclaim. Paul Goldberger of The New York Times wrote "He (Portman) is the only architect of his era to create not only a series of significant buildings, but a new urban type." Paul Gapp of The Chicago Tribune wrote at the time, ”The most influential living American architect is John Calvin Portman, Jr." further adding "Countless other architects have copied him but the music just isn't the same."
Portman is best known for his urban mixed-use complexes wherein his understanding of people and their response to space translates into enhanced environments and award-winning architecture. From Embarcadero Center in San Francisco, Times Square in New York to Marina Square in Singapore and Shanghai Centre in China, he has taken people away from the congestion of urban life to create spaces that are open and uplifting to the human spirit. Since his first project in 1953 where he personally made his first sculpture commission, he has been committed to incorporating art in all his projects, thereby making art an integral part of their success. The people of Atlanta continue to enjoy his contributions to the arts, from the magnificent bronze lions by Olivier Strebelle he commissioned for Peachtree Center Avenue to Paul Manship’s towering Ballet Olympia on Peachtree Street.
His love of art is evident in all that he does. He supports the arts, he collects, and he, himself, is a painter and sculptor. His own work plays a prominent role in the lobby and plaza surrounding SunTrust Plaza. In 1997 he was inducted as an Academician of the National Academy - Museum and School of Fine Arts in New York. In 1996, the Angel Orensanz Foundation elected him Member of the Senate of the Accademia Internazionale d’Arte Moderna. He has served as a board member of the Atlanta College of Art, and is Trustee Emeritus of the Atlanta Arts Alliance. He has also served as a Director of the Atlanta High Museum of Art. The Georgia Institute of Technology, his alma mater, presented him their highest honor, the Exceptional Achievement Award in 1986. His numerous architectural awards include the Silver Medal Award in 1981 from the Atlanta Chapter AIA for innovative design, and AIA Medal in 1978 from the National American Institute of Architects for innovations in hotel design.
Four major books have been written about Mr. Portman's work; The Architect as Developer co-authored by Portman with Jonathan Barnett and published by McGraw Hill in 1976; John Portman, published by L'Arcaedizioni in 1990; John Portman: An Island on an Island, published by L'Arcaedizioni in 1997; and The Master Architect series IV, John Portman and Associates, by Images Publishing in 2002.