Two University of Georgia community leaders will deliver the spring undergraduate and graduate Commencement addresses.
Leah Brown, an orthopedic surgeon, University of Georgia alumna, and veteran will speak to undergraduates on Friday, May 12 at 7:30 PM in Sanford Stadium.
UGA professor of Public and International Affairs Charles S. Bullock will address master’s and specialist graduates at 10 AM and doctoral graduates at 2 PM on Thursday, May 11 in Stegeman Coliseum.
A ‘98 UGA graduate with a BS in genetics, Brown was a NCAA All-American recipient and a two-time NCAA National Gymnastics Champion. After graduating from UGA, Brown received her medical degree at Ohio State University and The Cleveland Clinic Foundation with a full U.S. Navy Health Professions Scholarship.
A U.S. Navy veteran, Brown was deployed to Iraq in 2006 for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan in 2012 for Operation Enduring Freedom, serving in medical leadership. Brown has received nine military honors and awards including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal. She currently is a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve.
Brown is the owner and co-founder of UrgentlyOrtho AZ, an immediate-access orthopedic clinic in Arizona.
Graduate students will hear from Charles S. Bullock, a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor and holder of the Richard B. Russell Chair in Political Science award. A two-time honoree of Georgia Trend’s 100 most influential Georgians list, Bullock has consulted with the Attorneys General in 11 states as well as over 100 state and local governments.
Bullock’s academic focus is in legislative politics and Southern politics. He has written and edited over 35 books and over 250 articles and chapters. He previously served the Southern Political Science Association and the Georgia Political Science Association as president. He also held the chair of the Legislative Studies Group and has worked on executive councils of the American Political Science Association, Southern Political Science Association, and Georgia Political Science Association.