Shorter University and Berry College are both planning their spring graduation ceremonies this weekend.

Allen Jackson, professor of youth ministry at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, will be the featured speaker at Shorter University’s spring commencement exercises Friday. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at Barron Stadium.

Jackson has been on staff at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary since 1994 and previously served as minister to students in several churches. He describes his current post as “a youth minister to youth ministers.” While staying on top of issues that face youth, he also serves as an occasional interim pastor, a Sunday School teacher, and a leader for Disciple Now events and volunteer youth worker training. He preaches youth camps and conducts research on teenagers and has written extensively for youth publications.

Approximately 500 students will graduate during the ceremony. In the event of rain, a decision will be made Thursday about moving the ceremony indoors.

Berry College Board of Trustee member and alumnus Bert Clark will be the guest speaker at the spring commencement Saturday.

Clark, an estate and business planning advisor for Estate Strategies Group in Atlanta, is a 1982 graduate of Berry. As a student, he majored in history and served as Student Government Association vice president, competed on the Berry College Quiz Bowl team and worked at the Campus Carrier newspaper. After graduating from Berry, Clark earned his law degree from the University of Georgia.

Commencement is scheduled to take place Saturday at 10 a.m. on the south lawn of Evans Hall. The graduation ceremonies will also be streamed live at berry.edu/webcast.

Georgia Highlands College will have a ceremony for its nursing school graduates May 11 at 7 p.m. at The Forum and its regular graduation ceremony May 12 at 10 a.m. at The Forum.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College will have its graduation ceremony May 31 at 7 p.m. at The Forum.