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Media Contact: Kyle Huneycutt
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Baseball Legend Hank Aaron to Deliver Young Harris College Commencement Address
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Major League Baseball legend Henry “Hank” Aaron will deliver the address at Young Harris College’s Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7, at 11 a.m. in the Recreation and Fitness Center on the YHC campus.
Henry Louis Aaron, nicknamed “Hammerin’ Hank,” is widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters in the history of baseball. He spent 21 years as an outfielder for the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves and two final years as a designated hitter for the Milwaukee Brewers, setting several records and winning a number of honors along the way.
“We are thrilled to welcome Hank Aaron back to campus to deliver this year’s Commencement address,” said YHC President Cathy Cox. “His life and accomplishments serve as a testament to what hard work and dedication can lead to, and I’m confident his address will inspire the Class of 2016 as they make their way into the world.”
Aaron continues to hold many of baseball’s most distinguished records today, including runs batted, extra-base hits, total bases and most years with 30 or more home runs. He also ranks among the Top 5 in career hits and runs. For more than three decades, Aaron held the record for most career home runs with 755. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.
Aaron has been a generous friend and advocate of YHC for many years, and served on the College’s Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2008. He voted on the appointment of YHC President Cathy Cox and supported the College’s historic decision to become a four-year institution.
Aaron has a longstanding friendship with YHC alumnus former U.S. Senator and Georgia Governor Zell Miller, ’51. When the College decided to construct a baseball stadium to be named in honor of Miller, who both played and coached baseball at YHC before entering public service, Aaron not only gave generously to the project, but also assisted with raising the funds. In 2014, Aaron received YHC’s Nancy Louise Haynes Stephens Sanderson Robertson Outstanding Friend Award for his generous contributions and friendship to the College.
Approximately 187 students, the College’s largest graduating class to date, are scheduled to participate in the graduation ceremony, receiving bachelor’s degrees in art, biology, business and public policy, chemistry, communication studies, creative writing, education, English, history, mathematics, music, music education, musical theatre, outdoor leadership, psychology, religious studies, Spanish and theatre.
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting college located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through the highest quality liberal arts education. The College currently has more than 1,200 students across five divisions—Education, Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics and Science, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga., is currently undergoing major campus improvements to accommodate the College’s growth. Recent LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, new residence facilities, and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. In 2014, the College was granted active membership in NCAA Division II and is a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. YHC is among fewer than 300 colleges and universities nationwide named to the 2015-2016 list of Colleges of Distinction. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
Major League Baseball legend Hank Aaron will deliver the address at Young Harris College’s Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7, at 11 a.m. in the Recreation and Fitness Center on the YHC campus.
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