Albany State honors more than 900 spring graduates

By AI, Created 5:21 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Albany State University celebrated more than 900 graduates at its Spring 2026 commencement on May 9 in Albany, Georgia, with more than 780 students taking part. The ceremony also featured nursing, education and ROTC recognitions, plus a $5 undergraduate application fee offer for May 2026 applicants.

Why it matters: - Albany State University’s spring commencement marked a major milestone for one of Georgia’s largest public HBCUs, sending new graduates into health care, education, public safety and business roles across the state. - The ceremony underscored the university’s pipeline into the regional workforce, including licensed nurses, teachers and Army officers.

What happened: - Albany State University held its Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 9, at the Albany Civic Center. - The university celebrated more than 900 graduates, with more than 780 students participating in the ceremony. - Marcus Samuelsson, the chef, restaurateur and author, delivered the commencement address. - Albany State also recognized students through pinning and recognition ceremonies tied to nursing, health sciences and education. - The university commissioned three U.S. Army ROTC graduates as officers in the United States Army.

The details: - 159 nursing and health sciences students were honored in pinning ceremonies that mark the transition into professional practice. - 19 students from the School of Education were recognized in a separate ceremony. - Brielle Thompson earned bachelor’s degrees in marketing and supply chain and logistics management and will join International Paper as a Customer Account Coordinator. - Lisa Austin-Brinson earned a master’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in law enforcement and plans to serve as an Evidence Supervisor with the Thomasville Police Department while pursuing a doctorate at Walden University. - Jordan Whitehead earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and will teach second-grade math and science at Radium Springs Elementary School while continuing in Albany State’s Master of Education in Elementary Education program. - Sara Howard completed an Associate of Science in Nursing and will begin work as a registered nurse in the Progressive Care Unit at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. - Xavier Moore earned an Associate of Science in Computer Science and will continue at Albany State in a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program with a business concentration. - Albany State says it serves more than 6,800 students across undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. - The university reports $282 million in annual economic impact and more than 2,600 regional jobs supported. - Albany State was founded in 1903 by Dr. Joseph Winthrop Holley. - The university says it has had four consecutive years of enrollment growth. - Albany State says it has recorded the highest retention improvement in the University System of Georgia. - The university says its Associate of Science in Nursing program has consistently ranked among the top in Georgia for graduates sitting for the nursing licensure exam and led the state in 2022, 2023 and 2025. - Albany State says it earned first place in a NASA University Design Challenge and is ranked the No. 1 online MBA program in Georgia. - Albany State is a member of the University System of Georgia. - The university is offering a reduced $5 undergraduate application fee for May 2026 applicants, with applications available at the admissions page.

Between the lines: - The graduate profiles point to Albany State’s emphasis on career placement, advanced study and service-oriented professions. - The ceremony details also highlight the university’s effort to connect academic achievement with workforce readiness and public service. - The school’s broader metrics suggest it is using commencement as both a celebration and a recruiting moment for future students.

What’s next: - New graduates will move into jobs, graduate school and military service. - Prospective undergraduate applicants can take advantage of the $5 application fee offer in May 2026. - Albany State is likely to continue using its enrollment and retention gains, along with program rankings, to attract new students.