The University of North Georgia's (UNG) spring 2025 graduates heard from a wide array of student and keynote speakers during commencement ceremonies May 14-15 in the Convocation Center at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

They also found out they'll receive a free Atlanta Braves ticket, thanks to Braves President and CEO Derek Schiller, who spoke at the second May 14 commencement.

Jackson Effiom, a Riverdale, Georgia, resident, earned a degree in communication with a concentration in public relations and served as a student speaker.

"To my fellow graduates, I want to say congratulations to all of you who have faced hard things, adapted to change and kept showing up, which is more powerful than any test score," Effiom said. "So as you walk across the stage, walk as if you know you're worth it. Because you are."

Bárbara Rivera Holmes, Georgia commissioner of labor, encouraged graduates to embrace authenticity as they embark on their careers.

"It's not the polished, filtered versions of ourselves that change the world," she said. "It's the authentic ones, the ones who embrace their unique journey, flaws and all."

She encouraged them to persevere through adversity.

"I've learned that optimism alone is not enough," Rivera Holmes said. "Dreams matter, but grit, discipline and resilience are what turn those dreams into reality when things get tough."

Sarah Miller, a Blue Ridge, Georgia, resident, earned a degree in biology and served as a student speaker. She originally entered college wanting to be a physical therapist before falling in love with the scientific method. Miller emphasized the importance of truth.

"I have seen how true discoveries treat patients and build rockets. I have seen the pursuit of truth unify nations and vanquish the evils of our forefathers," Miller said. "I have seen how a true word spoken in kindness can have life-changing effects. If I had not had a teacher who called me curious, a friend who called me passionate, and a family who called me good, I would never have realized who I was made to be: a discoverer of truth."

Schiller encouraged graduates to take big swings as they pursue greatness. He told the story of how a bold interaction with former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner led to a job with the Yankees before eventually helping run an NHL team in Atlanta and now working 22 years for the Braves.

"Be willing to take risks," Schiller said. "Calculated risks, risks filled with knowledge that you've learned here at this institution."

Dulce Sumano, an Auburn, Georgia, resident, earned a degree in elementary and special education and was a student speaker. As a First-Generation college student, she hopes to encourage others on their journey.

"Listen to people. Be brave. Help people who don't have a voice. Care for others. Lead with your heart," Sumano said. "The world doesn't only need professionals. It needs people like you and me that will rise above the differences to build bridges instead of tearing them down, and to serve our neighbors with compassion and humility."

Carol Burrell, recently retired president and CEO of Northeast Georgia Health System, encouraged graduates to pursue excellence.

"Just remember, whatever job you are doing, whether it's in your professional field of study or not, do it well. You never know who is watching, who is paying attention to your efforts and your hard work," Burrell said.

Andre Gonzales graduated with a Master of Accountancy and was a student speaker. He previously earned the Cottrell Master of Business Administration, a graduate certificate in cybersecurity and a bachelor's degree in computer science from UNG.

"Where you start doesn't define where you'll finish," Gonzales, a First-Generation college student, said. "Your path might be unconventional, uncertain or even messy, but that's OK. Progress doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be yours."

Dr. Parker Hyde, UNG assistant professor of kinesiology, served as keynote speaker for the graduate degree commencement ceremony.

"We must not just use and rely on reserves of resilience when we feel that we need them. Oh, no. Resilience is something to be leaned on when it is needed," Hyde said. "It is something that we must train, and we must serve to purposely seek that discomfort and seek that change because only through that discomfort and through that change do we truly establish our own stability."