SCAD celebrates record-breaking class of 2025
Award-winning musician and composer Jon Batiste set to speak and perform in Savannah and Atlanta May 30–31
ATLANTA and SAVANNAH, GA – May 27, 2025 – The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is delighted to announce programming for SCAD 2025 commencement ceremonies, Friday, May 30, at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, and Saturday, May 31, at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta. As the university celebrates the achievements of its 2025 graduates, SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace will present an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in Savannah to Meta vice president of design Joshua To and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in Atlanta to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. Award-winning artist, musician, and composer Jon Batiste will deliver a commencement address and perform at both ceremonies.
"Our happy hive hums with joy this spring as more than 4,200 SCAD Bees — a record — prepare to dance across the commencement stage and fly off to rewarding careers around the world,” President Wallace said. "What I so deeply cherish about SCAD's commencement is the love you feel, see, and hear, everywhere. From grandparents and parents, to students and siblings, cheers, tears, whoops, hugs, and high-fives celebrate phenomenal creativity, courage, and camaraderie. The world is yours, Bees!”
Outstanding SCAD 2025 graduates will represent more than 40 top-ranked programs, including interactive design and game development, interior design, film and television, fashion, graphic design, and design management. Since its founding in 1978, the university's mission has been to prepare talented students for creative professions. Today, SCAD's success rate is unmatched. According to a 2024 study, 99% of recent SCAD graduates reported being employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation. SCAD alumni have found fulfilling careers at Adobe, BMW, Delta Air Lines, Disney, Google, Hasbro, Microsoft, NASA, Ralph Lauren, and more.
OUTSTANDING STUDENTS
SAVANNAH
Valedictorian: Jason Conforti (B.F.A. film and television)
Salutatorian: Lea Bagi (B.F.A. illustration; B.F.A. advertising and branding)
Excelsus laureate: Carey Lin (M.F.A. service design)
Mace bearer: Kalani Washington (B.F.A. dramatic writing)
Honorary degree: Joshua To (Vice president of design, AR, AI, and wearables at Meta)
ATLANTA
Valedictorian: Fallon Perlino (B.F.A. advertising and branding)
Salutatorian: Adriana Colón (B.F.A. graphic design)
Excelsus laureate: Kourtney Iman King (M.F.A. photography)
Mace bearer: Lisa Pringle (B.F.A. iIllustration)
Honorary degree: Andre Dickens, 61st mayor of Atlanta
About Joshua To
Joshua To is Meta's vice president of design, leading the AR, AI, and wearables team that creates products like the Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses, Project Orion AR glasses, and others. He also oversees a discovery incubation team in Meta Reality Labs that explores new products and device form factors.
Before joining Meta, To was a design leader at Google and played a key role in the development of Google AR/VR, Google Lens, and Google Wearables. He also founded Google's Artist in Residence program and contributed to leading Google's affordable housing initiative in the Bay Area.
To has always been passionate about creating projects that blend design, entrepreneurship, and technology. In his spare time, he has founded two nonprofit organizations, WellDone International and Soup.
About Andre Dickens
Andre Dickens is the 61st mayor of Atlanta, bringing a lifelong commitment and dynamic vision to drive the city's global progress as a place of opportunity. A native Atlantan and graduate of Atlanta Public Schools, Mayor Dickens is focused on expanding opportunities, equity, and prosperity for all residents.
SCAD: THE UNIVERSITY FOR CREATIVE CAREERS
SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow. SCAD enrolls more than 18,500 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 110 countries. SCAD has earned top rankings for degree programs in interior design, architecture, film, fashion, digital media, and more. Career success is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. A 2024 study found that 99% of recent SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation. SCAD provides students and alumni with ongoing career support through personal coaching, alumni programs, a professional presentation studio, and more.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Savannah
Michelle Gavin
SCAD Executive Director of Communications
mgavin@scad.edu
Atlanta
Wendy Gardner
SCAD Senior Director of Public Relations
wgardner@scad.edu