Georgia Southern University will hold two commencement ceremonies to include both graduate and undergraduate students from each of the university’s nine colleges. Graduating students will walk across the stage and receive their degrees at their preferred ceremony location.

Award-winning journalist Laura Harris will serve as the speaker at both commencement ceremonies. Harris, an alumna from the university’s School of Health and Kinesiology, has been a rising star in broadcast news since leaving Georgia Southern with a bachelor’s in sport management. The Atlanta native co-anchors the morning and midday newscasts at NBC5 in Dallas/Fort Worth. She previously worked with the ABC affiliates in Tampa, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina. Before her time in Charleston, she worked for WNEG-TV in Athens, Georgia, CNN Sports and TNT Sports in Atlanta.

As a journalist, Harris garnered an Emmy Award for her breaking news coverage. She has been recognized with an award for her work by the Associated Press.

While at Georgia Southern, she played Division I soccer for four years. She graduated summa cum laude and as an Honors Program Scholar, with a thesis in sport management, in 2008.

Savannah Ceremony

Who: Undergraduate and graduate students will participate in this ceremony.

When: Friday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m.

Where: Savannah Convention Center, 1 International Drive, Savannah

Media Parking: Media parking for the Savannah Convention Center ceremony is available in the Exhibitor Lot. A printed parking pass for this lot is required. Contact Jennifer Wise (912-531-5963 or [email protected]) to obtain the printed parking pass. She will be on the Statesboro Campus on Wednesday, Dec. 11, and on the Armstrong Campus on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Statesboro Ceremony

Who: Undergraduate and graduate students will participate in this ceremony.

When: Saturday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m.

Where: Allen E. Paulson Stadium on the Georgia Southern Statesboro Campus, 207 Lanier Drive, Statesboro

Media Parking: Media parking for the ceremony in Statesboro is on a first-come, first-served basis in the fenced-in maintenance area, closest to gates 7/8 at the stadium. A printed parking pass for this lot is required. Contact Jennifer Wise (912-531-5963 or [email protected]) to obtain the printed parking pass. She will be on the Statesboro Campus on Wednesday, Dec. 11, and on the Armstrong Campus on Thursday, Dec. 12.