• Briant graduates from North Georgia College and State University

Amanda Diane Briant graduated cum laude from North Georgia College and State University on Dec. 14, 2007, with a bachelor of science in biology. Briant is a 2003 graduate of Fayette County High School. She is the daughter of Lynn and Kelly Briant of Fayetteville, Ga.

• Hawley graduates from Carson-Newman College

Stacy Hawley, of Fayetteville, Ga., received a bachelor of arts in religion and art: painting during Carson-Newman College’s winter commencement, held on Friday, Dec. 14, 2007. Interim president Joe Bill Sloan presented degrees to 108 graduates and masters degree candidates at the ceremony. Dr. Fred A. Hurst, 1969 alumnus, Knoxville area physician and member of C-N’s Board of Trustees, gave the commencement address. An honorary doctorate of fine arts was presented to opera and Disney legend Mary Costa, in recognition of her contributions to the worlds of arts & entertainment and philanthropy. Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman College is recognized as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the South by U.S. News & World Report. Set in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, C-N provides its students a quality liberal arts education with a Christian worldview. For more information, call the college’s admissions office at 865-471-3223 or visit C-N’s website at www.cn.edu.