By Jordan Beach
This December, more than 100 students will graduate at the 133rd Commencement ceremony, Reinhardt University’s first class to graduate after a fall term.
The graduates will cross the stage in the James and Sis Brown Athletic Center gymnasium on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.
Another first for the University will take place that morning, as Reinhardt’s Cauble School of Nursing & Health Sciences hosts the inaugural pinning ceremony for the nursing program’s first cohort, who will participate in Commencement as Reinhardt University’s first nursing graduates.
Cherokee Sheriff Frank Reynolds ’96 ’10
Reinhardt alumnus and Cherokee Sheriff Frank Reynolds ’96 ’10 will speak to the graduating class. Reynolds was a non-traditional student at Reinhardt College while working in local law enforcement. He later returned to complete his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and has since amassed a master’s degree, law enforcement certifications and accolades. He has served the Picken’s Sheriff Office, worked overseas in private security and was elected Sheriff of Cherokee County, and is well-involved in the community.
“It is an honor to even be asked to speak to the 133rd graduating class at Reinhardt. My time at Reinhardt was strongly influenced by the community and the support I received,” said Reynolds. “I hope each graduate is taking with them memories of the people who helped them get to where they are now.”
English major Jessica Fanczi ’19 will address her peers in the Student Reflection, remembering the achievements and key moments in her classmates’ college careers that contributed to shaping the graduates they have become. Fanczi spent her time on campus as a student leader on the Executive Board of the Student Government Association, a member of Reinhardt’s Women Leadership Program and the Campus Ministries Leadership Team, and an Admissions captain. Several of her works have been published during her time at Reinhardt.
“As we prepare to leave Reinhardt and take our separate paths into the world, I am confident that life can and will continue to get even better,” said Fanczi. “The reason for my confidence is this: the Reinhardt family has shown me the love of Christ in action.”
A student brass quintet made up of Michaela Brock ’20, Chad Dickerson ’22, Tyler Graham ’19, Walker Holmes ’20 and Jonathan Shaw ’20 will lead the Class of 2019 in and out of the ceremony. Religion major Josiah Williams ’19 will deliver the benediction, and Dr. Reverie Berger, accompanied by Dr. Fredrick Tarrant, will perform “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Guests are encouraged to come early for parking and seating. Graduates will park at the East/West apartments. The gym parking lot will be filled first come, first serve, with 10 spaces reserved for handicap parking marked with cones. Additional handicap parking will be located at the drop off point behind the gym, off Grady Street. Golf cart shuttles will be accessible across campus for those in need. Following the ceremony, all shuttles will be in front of the gym after the ceremony.
