Southern University announces speakers for fall 2024 commencement ceremonies

Southern University announces speakers for fall 2024 commencement ceremonies

Southern University and A&M College will hold two commencement ceremonies for the graduating class of fall 2024. More than 400 graduates will receive bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Cadets in the ROTC programs will also be recognized for their commissioning and U.S. military assignments.

On Thursday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m., graduate students obtaining their degrees will be addressed by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. As commissioner of Harris County Precinct One in Texas, Ellis has played a critical role on the Court by securing misdemeanor bail reform, flood equity guidelines, stronger worker protections, and economic opportunity provisions, funding for indigent defense and COVID-19 recovery funding, including direct relief for residents, small businesses, emergency rental assistance, shelters for those experiencing homelessness, as well as other innovative programs, including providing computers to low-income students, among other achievements.

Ellis holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Southern University, a master's degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law.

On Friday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m., students receiving bachelor's degrees will be addressed by Marcus Brown, executive vice president and general counsel for Entergy Corporation. In this role, he oversees the legal, ethics, and compliance, corporate communications, federal policy, regulatory and governmental affairs, and cyber security governance groups. Additionally, he provides legal counsel to the chair and CEO, board of directors and senior management.

Brown, who serves as chair of the 2025 Super Bowl Host Committee, earned his juris doctor from the Southern University Law Center, where he was a member of the Law Review. He received an MBA from the Tulane University A.B. Freeman School of Business and a bachelor's degree from Southern University A&M College.

Both Ellis and Brown will receive honorary doctorates from Southern during the ceremonies.