800-plus join ranks of Albany State University graduates

ALBANY — Albany State University held its 2023 fall commencement on Saturday at the Albany Civic Center. More than 800 students graduated.

Solidifying the time that each graduate has spent at the university, ASU President Marion Ross Fedrick said, “Today, we recognize you for your discipline, perseverance and commitment to achieving your goals. You have created a legacy.”

Rashad Richey, well-known on television, radio, streaming, and digital platforms, served as the commencement speaker. Richey is the daily television opinion news anchor for “Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey” and is also the first political analyst to earn an Emmy nomination at CBS News Atlanta.

“Education is not simply to be utilized for the knowledge inside of your mind, but to be used as leverage toward the problems in front of you,” Richey told the graduates. “You are the university’s greatest gift; you cannot simply give the world the educated you, the suit-and-tie you, you must give the world the authentic you.”

Many of the graduating students have already secured job offers and graduate school acceptance.

Shai’Quez Gray, a mass communication graduate, has accepted a position at WSST CBS 44 News as a reporter and videographer.

Ariana Woods, an accounting graduate, has accepted a position as a tax associate with PricewaterhouseCoopers and has been accepted to Northeastern University to pursue a master’s degree in management.

Alexandria Mickle, a criminal justice graduate, has been accepted into the Business Administration program at South Carolina State University and offered a full scholarship.

ASU Photo: Reginald Christian