New Orleans Seminary awarded degrees to nine graduates with Georgia ties in its commencement services held Dec. 18.

Those receiving degrees were:

Joe Edward Bufford of Powder Springs, a member of Sargent Baptist Church, who received a Doctor of Ministry;

Steven Michael "Steve" Ferguson of Thomaston, a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Hartwell, who received a Doctor of Ministry;

Kim Grueser of Pelham, a member of First Baptist Pelham, who received a Doctor of Ministry;

Karen Michelle Jones of Bremen, a member of First Baptist Bremen, who received a Master of Arts in Christian Education;

Thomas Dale "Tommy" Meador Jr. of Augusta, a member of Hephzibah Baptist Church, who received a Master of Divinity;

Stephanie Angela McClung of Conyers, a member of Rockdale Baptist Church, who received a Master of Arts in Christian Education;

David J. Platt of Stone Mountain, a member of Briarlake Baptist Church in Decatur, who received a Doctor of Philosophy;

W. Edward "Ed" Vise Jr. of Atlanta, a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville, who received a Master of Divinity; and

Jason Patrick Wade of Statesboro, a member of First Baptist Church in Covington, who received a Master of Divinity.