AU celebrates over 1,700 graduates during spring commencement ceremonies
“Today was not just about getting a certificate or a diploma to go on your wall. It was about opening new doors for you,” says Steve Jones, EdD.
spring Commencement
calendar icon Thursday, May 8, 2025
map-marker icon Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center
clock icon 5:00 PM
Celebrating all graduate students from The Graduate School. MCG and DCG students will be recognized in two separate hooding ceremonies.
icon Friday, May 9, 2025
map-marker icon Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center
icon 10:00 AM
Celebrating undergraduate students from the College of Allied Health Sciences, College of Education & Human Development, Hull College of Business, and Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
icon Friday, May 9, 2025
map-marker icon Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center
icon 2:00 PM
Celebrating undergraduate students from the College of Nursing, College of Science and Math, and School of Computer and Cyber Sciences.
Make this day worry free, go through all the details of what to do before your big day.
Tassel has closed registration for the Spring 2025 commencement ceremonies as of April 12. Graduates who do not have a "yes" or "no" marked in Tassel at this time are assumed to not be attending and will not have a seat reserved for commencement on May 8-9. Please email the Commencement Team if you have any questions.
In case you missed it, here are the "In the Wild Live" pre-shows from the spring 2025 commencement ceremonies:
Graduate Hooding and Commencement Pre-Show: May 8, 2025
Undergraduate Commencement Pre-Show (10 a.m.): May 9, 2025
Undergraduate Commencement Pre-Show (2 p.m.): May 9, 2025
Graduation is more than just a ceremony; it signifies years of dedication, a celebration of your accomplishments, and a transition into the next phase of your life. Your achievements highlight the transformative power of education in changing lives and overcoming obstacles. As you embark on this new chapter as an alumnus of Augusta University, I encourage you to keep in touch with your alma mater and always carry with you the experiences that made your time here meaningful and unique.
GradPass, RSVPs & Commencement
Tickets Close
Graduate Hooding & Commencement Ceremony, 5:00 pm
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony 1, 10:00 am
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony 2, 2:00 pm
Jeffrey Foley
Jeffrey W. Foley is a leadership coach, author, and speaker. He is a West Point graduate who retired after 32 years in the U.S. Army as a brigadier general. He is the founder of Loral Mountain Solutions and works with business leaders who want to achieve greater results by developing positive, lasting change in behavior for themselves and the people they lead.
Throughout his military career he served in leadership positions around the world, all the time focused on the accomplishment of the mission and developing people. His last duty assignment was the commanding general of the U.S. Army Signal Center at Fort Eisenhower, Augusta, Georgia.
Upon completion of military service, he served as an executive administrator with Augusta University. In these positions he served as a strategic planner and led efforts to connect the enterprise’s educational resources to meet military and veterans’ needs.
His latest book is BRAVE Business Leadership: Grow Competent, Confident Leaders and Get Great Results. This book captures best practices from world-renown leadership experts combined with what he learned during his Army career leading organizations up to 8,000 people.
He also co-authored the Penguin-published book Rules and Tools for Leaders (4th Edition) and is a contributing author to the book Servant Leadership in Action (edited by Ken Blanchard and Renee Broadwell, 2018). He is certified as a Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coach, a former partner with the Ken Blanchard Companies and a member of Patrick Lencioni’s Table Group.
Jeff played intercollegiate sports at West Point, earned his Eagle Scout, and a Distinguished Alum from Mariemont High School. He holds master's degrees in computer systems from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology and National Security Policy from the National War College, as well as an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Union Institute and University. The most significant award he received as a soldier was the opportunity to serve his country. On a personal note, he is a recovering college baseball centerfielder and a lifetime Cincinnati Reds baseball fan.
Vera Stewart
Vera Stewart is a nationally-recognized TV personality, cookbook author and entrepreneur whose career in the food and hospitality industry spans four decades. She is an accomplished speaker and covers a variety of topics, all of which are motivational. Vera's philosophy is based on a winning attitude and passion for perfection.
Launching her career in the 1980s with a cottage catering business, VeryVera, she has become a household name with ventures that include a bakery and cafe, and a national mail order business for her signature cakes and casseroles. She currently has the cooking and lifestyle show The VeryVera Show, the VeryVera Cookbook Series, the VeryVera Cooking Camp, and VERA, a catering, concierge, and hospitality service for patrons of the Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia.
With a passion for Southern dishes passed down through generations, her manifold business endeavors have inspired people allover the nation tocreate memories in the kitchen. The VeryVera Show, in Season 13, is syndicated in 68 metropolitan markets; the popular VeryVeraCooking Camp is starting its 22nd year; her first cookbook, Recipes from my Table, is in its sixth print; and her new cookbook Occasions was released in spring 2023. She is currently working on the trilogy to her cookbook series, the Children's Cookbook.
Vera graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Home Economics education in 1974. Early in her career in 1997 she was named Small Business Person of the Year and is a 2010 Business Hall of Fame Laureate. In 2019 she was recognized with the 'Bulldog 100' award, signifying the top 100 growing businesses in Georgia.
R. Steven Jones
Steven Jones graduated from Albany State University with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education. He began teaching in an elementary school in the Bibb County School District in 1998. After several years of teaching physical education and reading, he was selected to add the title Reading Coordinator/Coach to his duties and responsibilities. This led Steven to pursue a Masters in Administration and Supervision from Georgia College and State University. Shortly thereafter, he began his career as an administrator.
Steven has served as a principal at each level, including three and a half years in elementary school, six years in middle school, and seven years in high school. Steven was deemed a turnaround principal and strategically placed in schools during his tenure to ignite positive change. While serving as principal, Steven enrolled at the University of West Georgia to pursue his Specialist Degree in School Improvement. Steven’s principalship can be summarized with his last assignment to Northeast High, where the term #EastsideOutLoud originated, a term used to reference the positive shift in East Macon schools under his leadership.
Steven was honored with two recognitions: Roosevelt Steven Jones Day on July 23, 2021, and #EastsideOutLoud Day on January 19, 2025. Steven now serves as an Executive Officer, supervising and coaching principals to visualize and achieve success for their students and communities. Additionally, Steven is a motivational speaker who believes in being a catalyst for positive, sustainable change! He has consistently presented in several districts, statewide, and nationally at conferences on school improvement, instructional coaching, and school leadership.
Steven is loved and honored by his wife, Danielle, and his 2025 high school graduate, Kennedi. A native of Augusta, Georgia, he cherishes the opportunity to come back and earn a degree at Augusta University. Steven has dedicated the intense work on his Doctor of Education in Educational Innovation degree to his deceased family members, Roosevelt (Dad), Edna (Mom), and Russell Jones (Baby Brother). Steven also presents this degree to Randy and Robyn as a sign of faith that we continue to move and thrive through the strength of God.
Ta'zheara Butts
Ta’zheara Butts is a graduate of Fayette County High School. She graduates this spring with a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Political Science.
During her time at Augusta University, Ta’zheara received several awards including the New RA of the Year and Housing Director’s Awards in 2023 and 2024 from Housing and Residence Life. Ta’zheara worked during her time as a student, serving the Ronald McDonald House of Augusta from 2021-2025 as well as a Resident Assistant for AU’s Housing and Residence Life from 2022-2025. Additionally, she’s served as the Historian and Advocate for Social Justice Chairman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, as well as the Vice President of Member Development and Recruitment for the 1828 Ambassadors.
After graduation, Ta’zheara will attend the University of Illinois, Chicago, as a Master of Social Work student in the Advanced Standing Program. She intends to focus on child and family welfare.
A native of Macon, Georgia, Ta’zheara is the daughter of Lavela Simmons and David Butts.
Christina Waller
Christina Waller is a graduate of Arlington Christian School in Fairburn, Georgia. She graduates this spring with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
During her time at Augusta University, Christina worked as a student assistant in the Student Life and Engagement Office. She held several leadership positions in student organizations including president and vice president of the Mu Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, vice president of Black Greek Life Organizations, vice president of National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), and president of Order of Omega. Additionally, she was a member of Black Student Union, She Blossoms, and Black Student Nursing Society. Christina received several awards during her time as a student including Miss Kappa Alpha Psi, Soror of the Year, and the Ella Spring Jones Service Award.
After graduation, Christina is going to work at Piedmont Augusta’s Orthopedics Unit. She also plans to pursue her Doctor of Nursing Practice in psychiatric mental health nurse practitionership.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Christina is the daughter of the Rev. Christopher and Carolyn Waller.
video icon WATCH
Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony, May 8
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony I, May 9
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony II, May 9
Undergraduate, Specialist, and Graduate Academic Regalia
Academic regalia includes the cap and gown, as well as other distinguishing hoods, stoles and cords that denote traditions of academic achievement. Official Augusta University regalia is used by all participants in the graduation ceremony. Orders for regalia are limited to graduates participating in the Spring 2025 ceremonies. All other orders will be cancelled.
For Associates and Bachelors graduates: Regalia orders may be placed online via the Jostens website. The online regalia order deadline has passed, as of April 1st. Regalia orders placed at this time will need to be placed in-person at the RoarStore. The regalia package for associates and bachelors graduates if ordered online is $49 plus $12 shipping. Students need to use their AU email address to complete their order. This regalia package includes the robe, cap, and tassel. Customized stoles are permitted to wear with your cap and gown. Tassel colors are not guaranteed for any orders placed after the order deadline. All Associates and Bachelor graduates will keep their regalia at the conclusion of commencement. Please notify the RoarStore should you be unable to participate in commencement after ordering your regalia.
For Masters and Specialists graduates: Regalia orders may be placed online via the Jostens website. The online regalia order deadline has passed, as of April 1st. Regalia orders placed at this time will need to be placed in-person at the RoarStore. The masters and specialists regalia package if ordered online is $99 plus $12 shipping. This regalia package includes the robe, hood, cap, and tassel. Customized stoles may be worn with your cap and gown. Hood and/or tassel colors are not guaranteed for any orders placed after the order deadline. Masters and Specialists graduates will keep their regalia at the conclusion of commencement.
Business attire is appropriate under the gown. The event will be a combination of standing and sitting, so make sure you dress comfortably for both. For those wearing pants, consider dark pants and shoes. Please contact the RoarStore if you have any questions about the regalia ordering process.
Doctoral Academic Regalia
Doctoral students may rent regalia for graduation online via Jostens website. The online regalia ordering deadline for Spring 2025 has passed. The rental regalia package for doctoral students (including PhD, DNP, DPT and EdD graduates), costs $179 plus tax. Rental regalia must be paid for at time of pick-up. Doctoral students may pick up their regalia from the Summerville Campus RoarStore beginning April 25. Students must return their rental regalia to the Summerville RoarStore by May 16. Any late returns will be charged a $30 late fee.
Business attire is appropriate under the gown. The event will be a combination of standing and sitting, so make sure you dress comfortably for both. For those wearing pants, consider dark pants and shoes.
Please contact the RoarStore if you have any questions about the regalia ordering process.
Faculty Academic Regalia
Faculty members need to RSVP for commencement and indicate whether or not they will need to rent regalia to participate in commencement. Faculty may pick up their order at the Summerville Campus RoarStore or can be shipped to you for a small fee. Contact the RoarStore if you haven't made plans for renting regalia or the Office of Faculty Affairs if you have any questions about regalia rentals. The faculty rental regalia deadline for the Spring 2025 ceremonies has passed as of March 15th.
Follow the website below to learn more about what faculty need to know in preparation for commencement.
Guests
All commencement ceremonies are ticketed events; and all guests attending must have a ticket, including children. Babies younger than one year old will not require a ticket. All ticket information will be announced through AU email. Students will be required to use their augusta.edu email address and student ID number to log in to the portal to claim their tickets. Please note, Tassel shuts down to students the week of the ceremony and tickets will not be accessible to graduates during this week. Students are advised to access their tickets as early as possible. Graduate students will be provided four tickets for their ceremony and undergraduate students will be provided six tickets for their ceremony. Extra tickets may or may not be a possibility to provide, this depends on the number of students who plan to attend their ceremony. If we believe it is possible to provide extras, we will open up ticket requests closer to the ceremony for students to request additional tickets.
All seating is general admission and there are no VIP tickets for guests of graduates. Doors will open approximately 90 minutes prior to the start of each commencement ceremony. If you haven't been to Augusta before, the link below will show you some more about our city, some fun things to do (and eat!) and more!
Accessibility Accommodations
Graduates needing a disability-related accommodation to participate in commencement should contact Rebecca Berger, Director of Testing and Disability Services for Augusta University. Ms. Berger may be reached by phone at 706-737-1469.
Tassel
Tassel, formerly known as Marching Order, is the system used to manage commencement operations, including graduate RSVP's, guest ticketing, graduate communications, and stage passes. Graduates must create an account in Tassel to access their guest tickets and ensure their name is pronounced and listed correctly for the commencement ceremony. Graduates must indicate whether or not they attend to participate in commencement through Tassel. Please note, Tassel shuts down to graduates the week of the ceremony and tickets will not be accessible to during this week. If you need any assistance accessing your tickets or stage pass, please email commencement@augusta.edu and we will be happy to help you retrieve your tickets/stage pass.
**Tassel registration is CLOSED as of April 12th. If graduates do not have a "yes" or "no" marked for themselves in Tassel, graduates are assumed that they are NOT attending and a seat will not be reserved for commencement on May 8-9. Please email the commencement team if you have any questions.
Stage Pass vs. Name Card
Graduates will access their Stage Pass, their "ticket" into commencement, through their Tassel account. Students can access their Stage Pass by logging into their Tassel account they created when they submitted their RSVP and selecting "Stage Pass." Access to your Stage Pass will close the week of the ceremony, so students are advised to access their Stage Pass early. Name cards are what students will need to have their name announced as they cross the stage. Name cards will be placed in graduates seats to use during commencement.
Dual degree recipients may not see both degrees received on their Stage Pass and/or name card due to space limitations. Please know both degrees received will show on screen for your guests to see your accomplishments!
Graduation Announcements
Graduation announcements and additional items may be ordered directly from the Jostens website.
Dual Degree Recipients
Graduates who are graduating with dual degrees may opt to attend one ceremony or both ceremonies, depending on which ceremony their degrees are being conferred in. Contact the Commencement Team if you have any questions.
Graduating with Honors
Undergraduate students graduating with honors will be designated in the commencement program. Qualifying students will be notified via email. If you're unable to pick up your honors cord prior to commencement, students may pick up their cords when checking in for commencement at the Marriott. Please make sure to bring a photo ID if picking up cords at commencement.
Legacy
Augusta University celebrates generations of families continuing our rich tradition by listing graduates whose parent, step-parent, or grandparent graduated from Augusta University or one of her legacy institutions (ex: Augusta College, Augusta State University). Legacy status is only awarded to those family members who have received a degree from Augusta University or a legacy institution, not to those completing a residency program.
Graduates who are part of our Jaguar legacy family will receive a special cord and pin for commencement to recognize their family’s Augusta tradition. The legacy graduates submission deadline for the Spring 2025 commencement program is March 14. If students did not indicate their legacy status on their graduation application, please email the Commencement Team with your family member's name, year graduated, and the legacy institution they graduated from. The Office of Alumni Engagement will be in touch with these students who have designated themselves as legacy graduates about obtaining their legacy cord and pin they will receive to wear at commencement.
Contact Us!
Do you still have any questions about the commencement ceremonies this semester? Email the Commencement Team. Graduates: for any questions you may have about your diploma or graduation application, please email the Graduation Team.
Guest Tickets, Seating and Special Accommodations
All commencement ceremonies are ticketed events; and all guests attending must have a ticket, including children and infants older than one year old.
All convention center seating is general admission and there are no VIP tickets for guests of graduates. Guests are not allowed on the floor before or during the ceremony. Doors will open approximately 90 minutes prior to the start of each ceremony.
If your guest requires special accommodations, seating is available on a limited first-come, first-served basis. Due to limited seating in the accessible areas, a maximum of one person will be allowed to accompany the person with a disability in the designated seating area. Guests who may need a disability-related accommodation to attend this event should contact Rebecca Berger, Testing and Disability Services Director at Augusta University. Ms. Berger can be reached by phone at 706-737-1469.
5pm Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony Graduate Seating Assignment
10am Undergraduate Ceremony Graduate Seating Assignment
2pm Undergraduate Ceremony Graduate Seating Assignment
Parking
The Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center's address is 2 10th Street, Augusta. Students and Faculty participating in commencement will park at no charge in the Georgia Cyber Center parking deck, located at 1 11th Street, Augusta between 11th and 12th streets in Downtown Augusta. Family members of graduates may ride with their student and use this deck as well if it works best for ceremony travel accommodations.
Commencement guests can park in the Reynolds Street parking deck at no charge and use the bridge to access the convention center. Guests who wish to park here will need to tell the parking attendant of their attendance at the AU Commencement Ceremony. Guests will not need to present vouchers upon entry or departure from this parking deck. No commencement guests will be allowed to park in the designated reserved parking spaces in the Reynolds Street parking deck.
Additionally, there are parking lots available on 9th-10th streets, many of them first come, first serve. Please plan accordingly!
ADA Parking Accommodations
ADA Parking is available at the following parking decks:
Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center Parking Garage (located at 9th & Reynolds
Street)
Augusta University Nathan Deal Campus Parking Deck at the Georgia Cyber Center
Graduation Photography
GradImages will be on site to take professional photos of your graduate that will be available for purchase following the ceremony. If graduates pre-register their information with GradImages before their ceremony, graduates will receive a coupon for 20% off their entire order. Graduates can follow the link below to pre-register their information.
Watch Livestream
Non-ticketed observers will be able to watch the ceremony live online. A playback of each ceremony will be uploaded to YouTube following the ceremonies. Follow the link below to access the livestream platform for commencement.
Diploma Information
Graduates can expect to receive your diplomas 6-8 weeks following commencement. Diplomas will be mailed to the address listed on your graduation application. Email the Graduation Team if you have any questions about your diploma issuing.
We encourage the entire University community, including graduates, families, friends, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, to post their photos and messages on social media to honor the moment and celebrate our graduates using the commencement hashtag: #AUGGrad
Are you stumped about where you can go to take your graduation pictures? We've got you covered! We've compiled a list of some photo opportunities around Augusta University's campuses as well as some fun spots around Downtown Augusta. Tag us in your social media posts: @aug_university
All commencement ceremonies will be held at Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center in Downtown Augusta
“Today was not just about getting a certificate or a diploma to go on your wall. It was about opening new doors for you,” says Steve Jones, EdD.
“We are so proud of this particular cohort as the largest ever that we have graduated,” says Caroline McKinnon, PhD.
"Coming home after passing my boards and seeing a sign that said, ‘Congrats Mommy!’ with my three girls jumping up and down, that made everything worth it," says Amber Thomas, DMD.
"Dr. Amero has demonstrated a strong commitment to medicine and the care of patients," says Elizabeth Gray, MD.
We shared a newsletter with you all recently that details more information you need to know about the spring commencement ceremony. MCG/DCG graduates, your college will notify you with more information about your respective ceremony, please do not read this newsletter. Please read this newsletter in totality!