Mike Royal has been selected as the speaker for Georgia Southern University’s 25th annual Fall Commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec. 9, at 1 p.m., at Allen E. Paulson Stadium, 207 Lanier Drive.

Royal, an outstanding Georgia Southern alumnus, is the chairman of the Georgia State Board of Education. He has served on this board since 2012, when he was first appointed by Governor Nathan Deal. The State Board of Education oversees a K-12 education budget of $11 billion, and more than 1,000 Department of Education employees. The board, in conjunction with the state school superintendent, is also responsible for creating and improving opportunities for the nearly 1.8 million children in public education in Georgia.

Royal also serves on the Board of Advisors to the University’s College of Education.

Royal is an accomplished insurance and risk management professional. He is the the founder of Partners Risk Services – a fast-growing risk management and insurance firm with offices in Georgia and Colorado. He is a certified insurance counselor, and has received recognition and awards for his leadership and service to his profession.

A lifelong resident of Gwinnett County, Georgia, he is active in his community. He is a member of and has held leadership positions for various professional and civic boards at the local, state and national levels. He also supports FoodFinderGA, an organization that helps connect hungry children with food resources for their families.

Royal has been married to his wife, Lori, for almost 25 years. They have three daughters, one of whom is a freshman at Georgia Southern.

During this year’s Fall Commencement ceremony, members of the Double Eagle Society will be recognized. The incentive program and joint initiative between the University’s College of Graduate Studies and the Alumni Association includes alumni who have earned two or more degrees, one undergraduate and one graduate degree or two graduate degrees, from Georgia Southern.