Caroline Newbern, Blake Witmer to deliver graduation remarks

Caroline Newbern, a graduating journalism and English double-major from Atlanta, Georgia, has been named senior speaker for the Spring 2026 Grady College Convocation. Grady’s Convocation ceremony will be held at the Athens Classic Center on Wednesday, May 6, at 2 p.m. 

Blake Witmer, a public relations major with a minor in studio art from Grayson, Georgia, was selected to be the student speaker at UGA Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. at Sanford Stadium. 

Newbern will deliver her remarks in a talk entitled, “What else?” a story that, she said, is about her “wild shot in the dark” decision to pursue journalism and the “life changing” experience she has enjoyed.

“My journey through The Red & Black, the journalism curriculum and photojournalism program have led me toward a version of myself I didn’t know existed,” said Newbern. “I thank every single person who has supported me along the way.” 

She was selected from a pool of seniors who auditioned in person for consideration. When she received the email confirming her selection from Charles N. Davis, dean of Grady College, she was surprised.

“I was taken aback and [I] am still in a period of shock,” Newbern said. “I found my place in the College of Journalism and to represent this sentiment felt by what I would consider a majority of the Class of 2026 is a tremendous honor.” 

Newbern, who is a Levin Leader minoring in Spanish and recently completed the Certificate in News Literacy, spent her time as a student in various roles for The Red & Black since her second year, including recruitment manager, managing editor and as the culture editor. She also worked for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences as a student photojournalist and for the National Press Photographers Association, located at Grady. 

A little over a year ago, Newbern enrolled in the Introduction to Photojournalism course, and she said she cannot imagine doing anything other than taking photos and telling stories. She hopes to be a working writer and photojournalist in a newsroom that values “authentic, heartfelt reporting and spreads a sense of our shared humanity,” she said.

“Out of the many great memories,” Newbern said, “I will miss my time in the Photo Cave the most. I can’t imagine my life without the photojournalism department and the doors it has opened for me. I have never felt so challenged, inspired and whole. We laughed, we cried, we stressed and we shared what it means to tell stories.” 

Newbern is thankful for the support of faculty, friends and family, but she most of all thanks her mom, who she loves “to the end of space and back.”

“She is a Georgia Bulldog with a heart of gold,” Newbern said. “From random calls asking for her thoughts on written pieces or photo essays to encouragement on the darkest of days, she has seen me through it all. I strive to be as kind and humble as she is.”

Witmer has been selected as the student speaker at the UGA Commencement ceremonies, an honor identified by a Student Government Association committee based on applications. She has completed several internships throughout her time at Grady, such as her PR intern roles at Makeable and the Museum of Public Relations. She served as the blog director for Strike Magazine, a student-run fashion and culture publication, and as a Digital Dawg, a social media ambassador for the university. 

The Grady College convocation is a ticketed event. A live stream and subsequent recording of the event will be available to view on the UGA Grady YouTube account. More details can be found on the UGA Grady convocation webpage.

Graduates and their families are invited to a Graduation celebration at Grady College May 8 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. 

Author: Sam Tupper, Samuel.tupper@uga.edu