By Christopher Peek
It’s that time again. The end of the semester is here and our tiger seniors are ready for graduation. Savannah State University will hold its 183rd commencement ceremony at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, in Tiger Arena. Approximately 240 students will receive undergraduate and graduate degrees during the ceremony, which is free and open to the public. “I am very proud to become an alumnae of the wonderful Savannah State University, my journey here has been one for the ages,” said senior Paige Lawson. “I also feel like my time has come and I’m ready to share to the world what Savannah State has given to me,” stated by senior Chelsey Williams. The fall commencement address will be delivered by Lawrence M. Drake II. He is the president and chief executive officer of Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) Program.
LEAD is based in Atlanta, Georgia and is a global knowledge and experiential learning organization that empowers youth of diverse backgrounds to transform high potential into high achievement and responsible leadership. Drake, who also serves as chairman of HOPE 360 Incorporated which is an executive management advisory firm and is a certified consultant for Personnel Decisions International, an investment advisor for AJIA Capital Holdings and a senior partner at Sarus Partners LLC. Drake retired from The Coca-Cola Company where he served as the managing director, president and CEO of the $1B West Africa Division of Coca-Cola Africa. Previously, he performed in senior-level positions with The Executive Leadership Council, PepsiCo, Cablevision Systems Corp. and Kraft Inc., while helping bring several start-ups and mid-stage entrepreneurial companies to market, including Haven Media Group and Dolman Technologies.
Drake operates or has operated on the boards and executive committees of several non-profit organizations including The National Conference for Community and Justice, The California Science Center, Crystal Stairs Inc., LEAD (Leadership, Education and Development), Jarvis Christian College, The Executive Leadership Council, Vine & Oak Foundation North America and Nehemiah Project Ministries International.
First studying classical vocals at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., Drake earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Georgia State University and the MBA from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo. He recently completed his master’s degree in psychology at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, Calif., and is slated to receive his doctorate degree in psychology in 2014, also at Fielding.
