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ATLANTA—Georgia Governor Nathan Deal will deliver the keynote address at Georgia State University's fall commencement on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. in the Georgia Dome.
Deal took the oath of office as Georgia's 82nd governor in January 2011. Deal's career includes 23 years in private law practice. His public service includes work as a criminal prosecutor and a juvenile court judge as well as 12 years in the state Senate and nine terms in the U.S. Congress.
“Gov. Deal is a devoted and tireless leader for Georgia,” said Mark P. Becker, president of Georgia State. “He has a vision for the future where Georgia is recognized as the best place in America to live, work and do business. Higher education is a centerpiece of the governor’s vision, as evidenced by his Complete College Georgia Initiative. I’m certain the governor’s remarks will be inspiring to our graduates and guests.”
Deal grew up in Sandersville, Ga. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Mercer University. He also served in the U.S. Army at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga., after graduating with a law degree from Mercer.
More than 2,500 students will hear Deal speak when they participate in the bachelor’s, master’s and specialist’s degree ceremony. The number includes both summer graduates and fall degree candidates.
Dennis Lockhart, the 14th president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, will receive an honorary degree during the ceremony. Lockhart is responsible for all the bank’s activities, including monetary policy, bank supervision and regulation and payment services. He serves on the Federal Reserve’s chief monetary policy body, the Federal Open Market Committee.
For more information on the commencement ceremonies, including directions, parking, what time to arrive and where to assemble, visit www.gsu.edu/commencement.
Dec. 14, 2012