ATLANTA – State Representative Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah) will serve as the guest speaker for Saint Leo University’s 2023 spring graduation ceremony at the Savannah Education Center on Friday, June 9. Rep. Gilliard frequently partners with the Savannah Education Center for local programs, including food giveaways and housing assistance events.
“I am honored to welcome and congratulate Saint Leo University’s Class of 2023 as they embark on their professional journeys,” said Rep. Gilliard. “Known as one of the top university’s in Florida, the Savannah area is lucky to have a satellite SLU campus to nourish bright learners. I am proud of this year’s graduates and wish them all the best on their endeavors.”
Rep. Gilliard and Savannah Feed the Hungry, a nonprofit organization he founded in 2009, have partnered with Saint Leo University-Savannah over the years to provide families with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Rep. Gilliard and Saint Leo have also hosted housing assistance events to help Savannah residents navigate the increased cost of living, including rent and utilities.
Rep. Gilliard currently serves as the chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, and in 2021, he received the GLBC’s Legislator of the Year Award. Rep. Gilliard has focused his career on being of service to Savannah-area residents through his legislative work and his many community projects and programs.
According to Saint Leo University’s recent announcement, the ceremony will include more than 200 students. Of those graduates, six will receive their doctoral degrees, two will receive their post-graduate in education specialist degree, 85 will earn their master’s degrees, 106 will receive their bachelor’s degrees, and 17 students will earn their associate degrees.
Saint Leo undergraduate student Jessica Thomas will also give the Class of 2023 farewell. Dr. Edward Dadez, president of Saint Leo University, will confer the degrees, and alumna Tresa Johnson will welcome fellow students as alumni and lead them in turning their tassels on their mortarboards.
Representative Carl Gilliard represents the citizens of District 162, which includes portions of Chatham County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development and the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Insurance, Interstate Cooperation, Natural Resources & Environment, Reapportionment and Redistricting, State Properties and Transportation committees.
###