PHOTOS: Berry College holds 2026 commencement ceremonies

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Berry College held its Class of 2026 Commencement Celebration for undergraduates on Saturday, May 9, at Valhalla Stadium, and for graduates on Friday, May 8.

Berry College graduate Hannah Hwang is congratulated by John Grout, department chair of management and entrepreneurship, during commencement Saturday, May 9, 2026. The nationally recognized Georgia college is located on a campus encompassing more than 27,000 acres in Rome, Ga. (Brant Sanderlin/Berry College)

Dan Cathy, chairman of Chick-fil-A Inc., was the commencement speaker at Berry College on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The nationally recognized Georgia college is located on a campus encompassing more than 27,000 acres in Rome, Ga. (Brant Sanderlin/Berry College)

Martha Berry Walstad, great-niece of Berry College founder Martha Berry, and Randy Berry, great-nephew of Martha Berry, were presented honorary degrees by board member Kathleen Kelly at Saturday's commencement ceremony. (Jeff Brown/Berry College)

Berry College President Sandeep Mazumder addresses the graduates during his first graduation ceremony as college president on Saturday, May 9, 2026. (Jeff Brown/Berry College)

Berry College graduate Caron Bonner receives a relay baton from Dan Cathy, chairman of Chick-fil-A, during commencement on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Cathy, who served as the featured speaker, presented each graduate with a relay baton. Using the baton as part of his address, Cathy compared graduation to a relay race, reminding students that many people helped carry them to this moment and encouraging them not to "drop the baton" as they move into the next chapter of life. (Brant Sanderlin/Berry College)

Sophia Newell and Harvy Patel take a selfie before the commencement ceremony at Berry College on Saturday May 9, 2026. (Daniel Whiting/Berry College)

Graduate Abigail Yerke accepts her bachelor of science diploma with her service dog, Ruby, from Berry College President Sandeep Mazumder on Saturday, May 9, 2026. (Jonathan Garcia/Berry College)

Haley Rouk celebrates as she is given her bachelor of science diploma at Berry College on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The nationally recognized Georgia college is located on a campus encompassing more than 27,000 acres in Rome, Ga. (Jonathan Garcia/Berry College)

Berry College graduates Amelia Ousley (left) and Lauren Beatty hug following the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2026. (Brant Sanderlin/Berry College)

Berry College graduate Kara Schmit gets a hug from her mom, Sue Schmit, on Saturday May 9, 2026, at the commencement ceremony in Rome, Ga. (Brant Sanderlin/Berry College)

A graduate hugs longtime professor and mentor Dr. Christopher Hall after graduating from at Berry College on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Berry College is recognized nationally and is located on a campus encompassing more than 27,000 acres near Rome, Ga. (Daniel Whiting/Berry College)

Proud family members of Berry College graduate Mykelle Patterson take photos during the Berry College commencement on Saturday, May 9, 2026. (Brant Sanderlin/Berry College)

Trenton Hayberg prepares for graduation from Berry College on Saturday, May 9, 2026. (Brant Sanderlin/Berry College)

Berry College graduate Andrew Lewis celebrates his MBA degree with family and friends following the graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2026. (Brant Sanderlin/Berry College)

Amelia Ousley celebrates offstage after receiving her diploma during Berry College's commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2026. (Daniel Whiting/Berry College)

Berry College graduate Bryson Smith gets a hug from Lauren Heller, dean of the Campbell School of Business at Berry College, on Friday, May 8, 2026. The graduate commencement was held Friday, followed by the undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday. (Brant Sanderlin/Berry College)

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Berry College graduate Hannah Hwang is congratulated by John Grout, department chair of management and entrepreneurship, during commencement Saturday, May 9, 2026. The nationally recognized Georgia college is located on a campus encompassing more than 27,000 acres in Rome, Ga. (Brant Sanderlin/Berry College)

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