The Odum School of Ecology celebrated fall 2023 graduation with a convocation ceremony and reception for graduates and their friends and families on Dec. 14. 

Jeb Byers, associate dean and UGA Athletic Association Professor, welcomed participants and introduced Dean Mark D. Hunter, Odum Chair of Ecology, who delivered the convocation address.

Hunter prefers the term gateways, rather than milestones, for such occasions, he told the graduates.

“A milestone to me is something that you pass on the way to somewhere else. To me, this is more like a gateway. You’re opening a gateway, and there’s all of these opportunities, all of these pathways ahead, and you get to choose which one of those you follow,” he said.

“As ecology graduates, the bedrock of what we do is science. Even if you go on to do art, public policy, whatever else, we’ve corrupted you with the seed of scientific thought, and you’ll never be without that,” Hunter said. “So as you get hit with that tidal wave of information and rhetoric that we’re all hit with on a daily basis, fall back on that scientific method, understand the power of data-driven decision making. The world has never needed you more to be thinking scientifically than it does today.”

Dean Hunter’s remarks were followed by recognition of graduates receiving bachelor’s degrees, which were presented by Pejman Rohani, associate dean, Regents’ Professor and Georgia Athletic Association Professor. 

The ceremony concluded with remarks from Melissa Lee, development and alumni coordinator, who welcomed the new graduates to the Odum School alumni community. About 50 people joined in the post-ceremony celebration, which included refreshments in the Ecology lobby and courtyard.

View photos from and a recording of convocation. 

Undergraduate students

Alanna Marie DeVegter
Bachelor of Arts in Ecology

Coles Grinnan Ehlers
Bachelor of Arts in Ecology
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
Certificate in Archaeological Sciences
magna cum laude with honors

Lindsay Alexis Jason
Bachelor of Science in Ecology
Minor in Spanish

Abigail Lee Moody
Bachelor of Arts in Ecology

Carlos Miguel Reyes
Bachelor of Arts in Ecology

Maci Willetts
Bachelor of Arts in Ecology
Certificate in Sustainability