STATESBORO, Ga. () – Over 4,000 Georgia Southern graduates are turning the tassel this week, starting on Tuesday.

“I’m so excited it was a long journey, but God got me through it,” said Leticia Adjei, a nursing graduate.

Matthew Mcelroy a health studies graduate said, “It’s just a milestone has been reached and I’m very excited for what the future holds.”

They told , it doesn’t matter the length of anyone’s journey, just as long as they cross the finish line.

“I’m excited,” said public health graduate Anthony Johnson. “This is my first time getting to walk across the stage. I didn’t get to walk across the stage in 2020 so it’s different.”

Adjei said, “I’m excited that I made my family proud. They were my number one supporters. They just talked me through it and there were times when I just wanted to give up but they made me see it through and so I can finally tell them I did it and thanks for your support.”

They said they’re graduating with a plan in mind. Some are headed back to school to further their degrees – others said they’re headed straight into a new job.

“All the hard work, all the classes all the late-night studying everything like that it just feels great to finally be able to get the diploma and do something that I’m passionate about,” said Madelyn Peta, a graduate of communications science and disorders.

The celebrations continue Wednesday and Thursday at Paulson Stadium, then on Saturday on the Armstrong campus.