News and Updates

South Georgia State College Awards Record Number of Degrees in 2020

South Georgia State College awarded a record high 413 degrees for the 2019-2020 academic year, a 10% increase over the previous year. At the 2020 virtual spring commencement ceremony, 69 students earned a bachelor’s degree in either nursing, biological sciences or management with the remainder receiving associate of science and associate of arts degrees.

“This accomplishment is attributed to the resiliency and ability to adapt to an ever-changing landscape by faculty and students alike. Everything our faculty and staff members do for our students, both fall and spring semesters, are reflected in their success,” said SGSC President Dr. Ingrid Thompson-Sellers. “The numbers were proof of their hard work and determination to move forward during such an unprecedented academic year.”

According to a University System of Georgia (USG) release, a record 70,879 degrees were awarded in fiscal year 2020 – the most in the system’s 89-year history. The 4.5% annual increase represents over 3,000 more degrees awarded to USG students than last year. It is also the largest year-over-year increase since 2011, when USG joined Complete College America and refocused system efforts on raising education attainment in Georgia.

The news on number of degrees conferred also followed USG’s announcement in March that Georgia had experienced among the largest increases in the nation for six-year college completion rates, based on data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

Sisters Alana Atkinson and Leana Atkinson of Broxton, Ga., each earned dual associate degrees with honors in 2020 to be part of the record number of degrees awarded at SGSC.