Mercer University will support the revitalization of the former Tattnall Square Presbyterian Church to create the Tattnall Square Center for the Arts with a $425,000 grant from ArtPlace America. The University is one of 54 organizations across the country to be awarded funding from the highly competitive ArtPlace America grant program, which seeks to transform communities by driving vibrancy through investments in the arts and creative placemaking.

Dr. Carl R. Martray, dean of the Tift College of Education, will retire at the end of the academic year, capping a 10-year tenure that saw expansion of the College both in enrollment and program offerings. He led the creation of Tift's first Ph.D. programs, as well as accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Ring out the victory song! Mercerians will welcome back their marching band after a 72-year hiatus this fall. Uniforms and instruments have been ordered and band camp is scheduled for Aug. 4-17.

The University will hold its final two commencements in Macon on Saturday in the University Center’s Hawkins Arena. The Walter F. George School of Law will hold its commencement at 10 a.m. with 165 participants. At 3:30 p.m., the University will hold the Macon commencement for 536 participants, featuring graduates from the Macon campus and nearby programs.

The University will hold its annual campus-wide outdoor commencement in Atlanta on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. on the upper field of the Cecil B. Day Graduate and Professional Campus. More than 1,000 graduates are expected for the ceremony, which is the University's largest. Dr. John R. Seffrin, chief executive officer at American Cancer Society, will speak at the event. The University will also award Dr. Seffrin an honorary Doctor of Science degree at the ceremony.