Nearly 300 Students Graduate From Reinhardt University

WALESKA — Almost 300 students graduated from Reinhardt University Friday morning during the annual commencement ceremony at Ken White Stadium.

The 138th graduating class of Reinhardt University included 298 graduates.

Reinhardt President Mark Roberts congratulated all of the students and thanked parents, faculty and staff in attendance for helping the students reach this point of their lives.

“Many of you entered Reinhardt at the dawn of the global pandemic... the fact that you are here today earning your degree is a testament to your determination, grit and the ability to overcome whatever obstacle is set in front you,” Roberts told the graduates. “You have gone the eagle’s mile.”

Graduating senior Ryan Patrick Neill spoke during the ceremony on behalf of his fellow graduates.

“To the professors, staff and coaches of Reinhardt University, I consider myself lucky to have crossed paths with each of you,” he said. “Here, tucked away at the gateway to the mountains, stands an institution dedicated to excellence in the classroom, athletics and performing arts. Because of your efforts, the students here have an environment to grow upright and prepare for the rigors of life. Your unwavering support and time invested in each individual student is what makes this place incredible. Thank you.”

Neill enrolled at Reinhardt after serving in the U.S. Army, where he said he made lasting friendships and relationships. While at Reinhardt, he said he developed more relationships that he will also “cherish forever.”

“The road to excellence takes discipline and dedication to the little things. At the end, it’s not about what you have or even what you accomplished, it’s about who you’ve lifted up and who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back,” he said. “It’s our duty to take this sense of community back with us and pour it back into our homes.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Zaine Hedge, an attorney and law partner at Hedge Law Office, LLC in Douglasville. Hedge, a 2011 Reinhardt University graduate, is running for Douglas County Superior Court Judge.

“You are capable, and you are enough,” he said to the graduating class, adding to be careful not to let one’s ego get out of control.

He added that “with proper introspection, you can be capable of some of the most powerful forces on Earth, like courage and discipline, extreme generosity and humility.”

“With the right mind set, you will see incredible feats of mental, physical and emotional strength,” he said. “With the right approach, you will see even unexpected success... someone else saw I was capable. God has set a path before you... you need only remember that you are enough. You have what it takes. You are capable.”

Rev. Brian Smith, pastor at Waleska United Methodist Church gave a prayer for the graduates and for the families and staff in attendance.

Reinhardt 2024 graduate Jared Keith Brooks also sang “Beautiful City” from “Godspell” by Stephen Schwartz.

After the students received their degrees, they were inducted into the Reinhardt University Alumni Association. It was followed by the singing of the university’s Alma Mater song.

The ceremony was also livestreamed on Facebook for anyone unable to attend.