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Fort Valley State University Welcomes Alumnus and Superintendent Craig Lockhart, Ed.D. as Keynote Speaker for Founders Day Convocation
Posted on Oct 31, 2024
Fort Valley State University is proud to announce Craig D. Lockhart, Ed.D., esteemed 1996 alumnus and current Superintendent of Valdosta City Schools, will deliver the keynote address at the 2024 Founders Day Convocation. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in the Pettigrew Auditorium.
Lockhart has made significant strides in enhancing student achievement and well-being. Previously, he served as Superintendent of the Dooly County School System, consistently achieving graduation rates above 90% and expanding college and career opportunities.
Lockhart's educational journey includes roles as Instructional Superintendent for Birmingham City Schools and Deputy Superintendent in Newton County, where he led Newton High School to earn Title I Reward School status. His transformative leadership was evident when he turned Taylor County Upper Elementary School into a Title I Distinguished School. In 2022, Dr. Lockhart was recognized with the Georgia School Superintendent Association President’s Award and the Georgia Association of Educational Leadership Award for his exceptional contributions to the field.
A dedicated educator and author of School Genetics: A Blueprint for Saving Public Schools, Lockhart is recognized nationally for his contributions to educational leadership. A proud 1996 graduate of Fort Valley State College, he earned his degree in Biology and later obtained his teaching certification through the FVSU College of Education. His ongoing commitment to his alma mater is evident in his 2021 induction as an FVSU Life Member and his active involvement in the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which he pledged in Fall 1995. He actively engages with his community and professional organizations, championing access to quality education for all students. Lockhart, supported by his wife Dr. Terrie Lockhart and their three children, embodies a steadfast commitment to empowering the next generation
Lockhart’s message will undoubtedly inspire the FVSU community as it celebrates 129 years of academic excellence and looks toward a future of continued impact. The Founders Day Convocation is open to students, alumni, faculty, staff and the public. Attendees will celebrate the legacy of FVSU and honor the visionaries who laid the foundation for the university's growth and achievements.
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