Commencement Speaker Cade Joiner Urged Clayton State Graduates to Take Action and Never Stop Learning

(December 8, 2025) - The Clayton State University Fall 2025 Commencement celebrated the achievements of its graduates with three on-campus ceremonies held on December 5th and 6th. In a heartfelt and celebratory atmosphere, the university honored its newest graduates, their hard work, and the support systems that helped them reach this milestone. 

Cade Joiner, a successful entrepreneur and Board of Regents member, served as the speaker at the December 5th commencement ceremony. He shared his personal journey, emphasizing the value of perseverance, confidence, and taking action despite doubts. Joiner, founder of Shred-X Secure Document Destruction, also encouraged graduates to embrace lifelong learning and have faith in themselves, drawing on his own experiences as a business owner and community leader. 
 
He shared a childhood lesson that became the foundation of his message: “I have confidence in you.” Joiner reflected on the words his father said to him as a child, which he now embeds into his own children. “Have confidence in yourself because those around you already do,” he advised graduates.  

Joiner reflected on how his own career came to fruition in unpredictable ways, from a difficult start in Washington, D.C., to a chance encounter that inspired him to launch his first company. His message to the Class of 2025 was empowering and straightforward: “Take action. Start small if you need to. Have faith in yourself. Give yourself grace to pivot. And never stop learning.” 

Student speaker Juan Angarita delivered an inspiring address reflecting on his non-linear journey to graduation. Overcoming challenges and self-doubt, Angarita urged his peers to embrace their unique paths and continue learning, quoting Rudyard Kipling’s “If” to remind them of the importance of resilience and making the most of every moment in their journey. 
 
Angarita acknowledged that each individual’s journey is different, saying, “My path to this stage was not the same as yours, just as yours was not mine, and your neighbors were not your other neighbors.” He emphasized that life doesn’t follow a straight line, and comparing oneself to others only adds unnecessary pressure. Instead, he encouraged his classmates to focus on their own growth, urging them to measure success by how far they have come from where they were yesterday. 
 
Christopher Toussant, a three-time graduate of Clayton State and member of the Alumni Advisory Board, delivered a heartfelt message to the Class of 2025, urging graduates to reflect on the power of perseverance and the importance of giving back. 

Toussant shared his personal journey of overcoming challenges and self-doubt, from almost not graduating high school to finding his path at Clayton State. “I walked onto this campus carrying the weight of everything I had been through,” he reflected. “Here, I found opportunity. I found people who believed in me. And for the first time, I began to believe in myself.” 

He encouraged the graduates to take ownership of their stories, emphasizing that, just like him, they now have the power to shape their own futures and those of their families. “Keep reaching back. Keep giving yourself grace,” he urged, concluding with a call to action: “Go write your story and remember to bring the rest of us with you.” 

In addition to the commencement speeches, Dr. Georj L. Lewis, President of Clayton State University, congratulated the Class of 2025 and highlighted the significance of their achievement in light of Georgia's educational statistics. He acknowledged the struggles many students faced during their academic journey, including balancing work, family, and personal hardships. President Lewis urged graduates to use their degree as a foundation for future success and social mobility, emphasizing the generational impact of their education. 

Graduates moved their tassels from right to left, officially marking their transition from students to alumni. President Lewis offered final congratulations, urging graduates to carry forward the legacy of Clayton State as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. 

The event celebrated not just academic success but also personal growth, perseverance, and the promise of future contributions from the Class of 2025. The spirit of Laker Nation was alive as graduates, family, faculty, and staff gathered to honor this significant achievement.