Frenchye Love Wilkerson Albany State University held its Commencement Exercises on May 2, 2009 at the James H. Gray, Sr. Civic Center in Albany Georgia.

During Commencement exercises, more than 300 students received bachelor’s, master’s and specialist degrees.

Among the graduates was Frenchye Love Wilkerson.

Wilkerson, a Savannah native, received her degree in Psychology.

Wilkerson is the daughter of Ms. Frenchye Bynes Jones, and Mr. Michael Wilkerson, and the granddaughter of Mrs. Frenchye Bynes. She has already made preparations to begin work on her masters.

Presenting the keynote address was be Maj. Gen. Willie J. Williams, commanding general of the Marine Corps Logistics Command in Albany.

Joseph Winthrop Holley founded the institution in 1903 as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institute.

In 1932, the school became part of the University System of Georgia and in 1943 it was granted four-year status and renamed Albany State College.

In 1981 the college offered its first graduate program and in 1996 the name was changed to Albany State University.