Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - The number of Georgia Gwinnett College alumni will soon grow, as 31 students are set to graduate Friday in the college's second commencement.

Five students will receive a bachelor's degree in psychology, eight will receive degrees in biology and 18 will receive degrees in business.

"This graduating class will bring our alumni count to 48 - proof that the college continues to grow and thrive," said Merri Brantley, spokeswoman for Georgia Gwinnett College.

The college's inaugural graduating class of 17 students received diplomas in business and psychology. Friday's ceremony will bring Georgia Gwinnett's first graduates with biology degrees, some of whom plan to work in the medical field as doctors, Brantley said.

"GGC chose its first majors in areas that are important to the northeast Georgia community - business, biology, psychology and information technology," Brantley said. "Many of our graduates already live and work in the vicinity, and we expect most of them to stay here and assume leadership roles over the next several years."

The college's newest graduates will hear a keynote address from the Board of Regents longest-serving member, Elridge McMillan.

McMillan, an Atlanta resident who represents the 5th Congressional District, is president emeritus of the Southern Education Foundation in Atlanta and a scholar-in-residence at Atlanta Metropolitan College.

Georgia Gwinnett College opened in 2006 at the site of the former Gwinnett University Center in Lawrenceville. The first commencement was held in June.