The 2023 graduating class of Eagles has soared with 321 students successfully completing their degrees. Reinhardt President, Dr. Mark Roberts led the event May 5th and Provost Dr. John Miles presented the undergraduate and graduate candidates. “You are finished with your degrees. You read the book. You composed the papers. You solved the problem sets. You completed the labs. You passed your exams. You gave your speeches and read umpteen research articles that you may or may not have understood,” Roberts said. “You have gone the eagle’s mile.”
Rev. Brian Smith, told the graduates, “Going forward you have to put love into action and serve our world. May your path and your careers and your families and your studies be marked by putting love into action.”
Graduating senior Kamille McKinney gave a reflection of her time at Reinhardt, telling the crowd, “Reinhardt is like home. I also believe Reinhardt can change lives. I have seen numerous students enter as freshmen scared and unsure, but by the time they graduate, they are able to take on any challenge. You will be able to handle whatever will come your way in this upside-down world.” She was selected from faculty and staff nominations due to her academic achievements, campus experiences, resiliency, and ability to represent the graduating class.
The Keynote address was given by Kevin Williams who owns multiple Chick-fil-A franchises, is a board member and Vice Chairman of the Cherokee County Educational Foundation, Trustee Member of the Reinhardt University Board of Trustees, and is the best-selling author of Irrational Kindness: The Crazy Pursuit of an Extraordinary Life. Williams gave words of encouragement to graduates, “Today is a new day. We’re going to keep our eyes on where we want to go, not staring at every hurdle, but courageously believing the truth that we will go in the direction we are looking.”
After the students received their degrees, they were inducted into the Alumni Association. It was followed by the singing of the Reinhardt Alma Mater song that appropriately begins, “Far up in the mountains azure, blest with ideals true. With influence most inspiring, Reinhardt, we love you.”
