Atlanta University Center Consortium Congratulates Spring 2022 Graduates

College commencements are a special time on any college campus, as graduates culminate their academic career to join the workforce or pursue other endeavors. To the Atlanta University Center, the world’s oldest and largest association of historically Black colleges and universities, the joy is four-fold as their member institutions, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College hold their commencements during the month of May with 1200 students crossing their respective commencement stages.

Here are a few highlights provided from each of our campuses:

Graduates of Clark Atlanta University can take advantage of an opportunity to become a business owner. Alumna Alisha “Pinky” Cole provided funding for each graduate to own a Limited Liability Corporation in the state of Georgia valued at $100. The institution also celebrated six valedictorians and one salutatorian among the more than 800 graduates who crossed the commencement stage on Saturday, May 14.

Morehouse College’s 138th Annual Commencement occurred on Sunday, May 15 on the College’s Century Campus with the commencement address delivered by Morehouse alumnus U.S. Senator Dr. Raphael G. Warnock ‘91. Morehouse College celebrates their 2022 valedictorian Jeffrey White and co-salutatorians Joshua Curry, Jaeden Johnson, and Garret Oatis, representing four separate academic divisions at the institution. Read more about them here: https://inside.morehouse.edu/news/news-inside/morehouse-colleges-top-2022-graduates-embark-on-world-changing-research.html.

Morehouse School of Medicine’s Commencement was held May 21, Century Campus, 830 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314, 9:00 a.m. and the speaker was Lloyd H. Dean, CEO of CommonSpirit Health. The organizations MSM and CommonSpirit Health worked together to launch the More in Common Alliance, a 10-year, $100-million partnership aimed at addressing the underlying causes of health inequities. The institution celebrated 155 graduates across 8 graduate programs. Over the time of their matriculation the Class of 2022 has received over $8.4M in scholarship. MSM also celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS) Program, as well as the 25th anniversary of the Master of Public Health Program.

Spelman College’s graduating class included five valedictorians, a salutatorian and several high- achieving graduates from across the country. Commencement was held Saturday, May 15 with alumna Stacey Yvonne Abrams, C ’95, politician, lawyer and author as speaker. We congratulate valedictorians Ashli Chicks, Asja Woodard, McKenzie Clarke,Nailah Barnes,Taylor Dews and salutatorian Jaimie Crawford. Read more about these amazing young women here: https://www.spelman.edu/commencement/class-of-2022-valedictorians-and-salutatorian. Spelman President Dr. Mary Campbell Shmidt will hand over the reins of the college to Helene D. Gayle, M.D., MPH, as the 11th president of Spelman College. Her appointment is effective July 1, 2022, following the completion of Dr. Campbell’s seven years of outstanding leadership and service.