As Augusta University prepares for its December undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies, the excitement builds to honor the graduating class with a celebration of achievement and inspiration. Each ceremony will include a carefully selected student speaker delivering an inspiring message, and a student soloist performing Augusta University’s alma mater and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Churchill Ezeokonkwo will serve as the student speaker with Barbara Yancey as the student soloist for the Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, in the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center.

Eboni Watts will serve as the student speaker with Emma Kelley as the student soloist for the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, in the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center.

All are excited and honored to commemorate these special days.

The graduate-level commencement ceremony will spotlight Ezeokonkwo, a candidate for a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in management in the School of Public Health. He received his bachelor’s degree in health and fitness management from Clayton State University.

He aspires to work within hospital systems or alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention championing for health policy reforms within Georgia and beyond.

Throughout his time at AU, Ezeokonkwo has learned home is never a place but the people who make you feel safe. As an assistant track and field coach with the Jaguar cross country and track and field teams, he has developed close connections with his teammates and those in the athletic department.

“I’ve been surrounded by good coaching staff like Jacob Burgamy and Molefi Maat, and even more so an amazing athletic department led by Ryan Erlacher, that’s given me so much love over the years,” Ezeokonkwo said.

His fellow coaches have provided guidance and mentorship, teaching him that the job goes beyond the title. Outside of trips to the national championship meet, Ezeokonkwo will treasure the memory of the heartwarming support he received from fellow coaches and teammates after enduring a life-changing stress event earlier this year.

“Our mission is to inspire and help others see and reach the best version of themselves, even when they struggle to see it at times. To give hope back,” Ezeokonkwo said.

He felt an overwhelming sense of joy upon discovering that he had been selected as commencement speaker. During his speech, he wants to pass along hope and assurance to whoever may need it as they enter a new phase of life.

Yancey is a candidate for a specialist’s degree in advanced educational studies with a focus in music in the College of Education and Human Development. Yancey earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree in vocal performance at Mercer University.

She is an accomplished choral director and performer, as well as the choir director at Harlem Middle School. She has extensive experience leading choirs, including establishing the first chorus program at the Georgia School for Innovation and the Classics.

“As a teacher, I love working with my students; I’m essentially singing through them,” Yancey said. “That piece of performing almost disappeared when I became a teacher, and I have to seek out opportunities to share my instrument and my passion. Music just heightens every single thing that it’s a part of.”

Her performance background includes participating in opera programs during her master’s degree, performing with the Atlanta Opera in “La bohème” as a chorister and handmaiden, “Roméo et Juliette” as a chorister and “Turandot” as a chorister and milkmaid. Yancey also takes part in local church concerts, particularly Handel’s “Messiah.”

Having sung at past commencements, Yancey is honored to once again sing her school’s alma mater and national anthem at the upcoming graduate commencement.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to share music this way and in this capacity,” she said. “It’s a good feeling to continue rounding it out for me and to continue being a part of each commencement. I’m grateful for it.”

Watts is earning a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise and sports science from the College of Education and Human Development. Inspired by her lifelong love of dance, Watts chose this path to continue doing what she loves most. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and then go into athletic training.

“I want to go more into the fine arts area, specifically women-dominated sports like gymnastics, dance and volleyball because we don’t have a lot of athletic trainers who look after our performance and health, especially when we’re more prone to injury,” Watts said. “I feel like we need someone to ensure that everything’s in check.”

Watts has served as Miss Augusta University, competed in the Miss Georgia competition and participated in SheBlossoms, 1828 Ambassadors and the Kinesiology Club. Her time as an 1828 Ambassador was specifically influenced by Angela Young, program manager with the Office of Institutional Access, Success, and Belonging, who brought out Watts’ passion for advocating for those she cares about. These experiences have taught Watts to balance professionalism with authenticity, skills she plans to emphasize in her speech.

“I’ve learned a lot about thinking quickly on my feet and still being myself and being comfortable since I’m a very introverted person,” Watts said. “But now, if I have to put myself out there in any atmosphere, I know that I can do it because I am comfortable in the skills that I have, and I am comfortable with my own personality as well.”

As such, Watts seized the opportunity to apply to be a student speaker. She was overcome with excitement upon learning that she was selected and believes this perfectly concludes her undergraduate journey.

In her commencement speech, she hopes to encourage fellow students to embrace their journey, no matter how challenging, because it leads to growth and beautiful destinations. By always staying true to themselves and their values, they will find happiness wherever life takes them.

Kelley is a transfer student who joined Augusta University’s community her sophomore year and is pursuing a degree in music from the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Inspired by her father’s role as a music minister, she has loved singing her entire life.

“He had me singing in church, and I’ve sung in school since I was able to, and I just fell in love with it,” Kelley said.

When Kelley first came to AU and learned that her degree path would delve into opera, she was disappointed that she would not be able to sing popular music or her favorite musical theater arrangements very often. However, this led Kelley to discover a passion for opera, which allows her to tap into her own emotions to optimize her performance.

As a section leader for University Singers and a member of the Opera Ensemble, Kelley has built meaningful connections with her professors, crediting their mentorship for her growth as a vocalist and performer.

“Looking back at my time here, I’ll remember and cherish the people,” said Kelley. “Dr. Marcel Ramalho, our choir director, has helped me see my own potential because he saw the potential in me, and he also tested me to better myself. I’ve only been in class with Dr. Courtney Kalbacker this semester, but the amount of work that she’s done on my voice has been incredible in only a semester. I feel like I’m actually performing instead of just singing.”

Kelley has previously performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center and at the May 2024 Commencement ceremony. She is honored to reprise her role as a soloist for the December ceremony, singing both the alma mater and national anthem.