First-ever group of incarcerated students graduate from Georgia State Perimeter College

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. — When a group of Georgia inmates reenter society after serving their sentences, they’ll do so with a college degree.

Georgia State Perimeter College announced they are graduating their first-ever class of incarcerated students.

Nine inmates at Walker State Prison in north Georgia have earned their associate degrees in general students.

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All nine of them had a GPA of at least 3.7. Three of them had GPAs higher than 3.9.

All of their courses from English to geology to philosophy and more were taught by Georgia State Perimeter College faculty who traveled to the prison.

The students will be able to don their caps and gowns for a graduation ceremony. Georgia State President Dr. M. Brian Blake and Perimeter College Interim Dean Dr. Cynthia Lester will give them their degrees virtually.

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“Not only have these students demonstrated that they are critical thinkers by completing a degree, but they’ve also shown tremendous character to seek education and follow it through to the end,” said President Blake. “The degree they rightfully earned can never be taken away.”

The Georgia State University Prison Education Project began in 2016 and offers courses to inmates at the Walker State Prison and offer enrichment courses at the U.S. federal penitentiary in Atlanta.

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