Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) will hold its Fall 2014 Commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 in Convocation Hall of the Student Success Center. Chancellor Hank Huckaby from the University System of Georgia is the commencement speaker. 

Huckaby was selected as the University System’s 12th chancellor in May 2011. He oversees 31 public colleges and universities, the Georgia Public Library System, and the Georgia Archives.

Prior to becoming Chancellor, Huckaby was a teacher and administrator in the University System and had taught at private colleges and universities. He also served as the director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the executive director of the Georgia Residential Finance Authority, and he represented Georgia House District 113.

Huckaby is active with the State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO), the National Association of System Heads (NASH), and the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), is a commissioner for the Education Commission of the States, and is on the Georgia-based Alliance of Education Agency Heads (AEAH).

He serves as a trustee of Young Harris College, where he earned an associate’s degree. Huckaby earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgia State University.

An estimated 338 students are expected to graduate Saturday. Limited seating will be available, so guests are encouraged to arrive early.

Lynn Larsen, early childhood education lecturer and 2014 Professor of the Year, will serve as Macebearer and will bring the reflection. Burchard D. Carter, Ph.D., professor of geology professor, will be the Grand Marshal.