Oglethorpe University’s commencement ceremony honoring the Class of 2024 will be held on Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m. on the academic quad.
Oglethorpe will welcome Rose Scott, an award-winning veteran journalist and Atlanta public media radio host and executive producer, to deliver the keynote address to the graduating seniors. Scott will also receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of her contributions in the fields of journalism and community engagement.
“Throughout her career, Rose Scott has shown an unwavering commitment to reporting on the important issues that affect our communities and sharing the diverse stories of the people of Atlanta and Georgia,” said Oglethorpe President Kathryn McClymond. “Rose will be a voice of inspiration to our graduates as they set out to ‘make a life, make a living, and make a difference.’”
Rose Scott serves as the executive producer and host of the midday news program “Closer Look” broadcast on Atlanta’s NPR station, 90.1 FM – WABE. She joined WABE full-time in 2008 after coming aboard as a freelancer in 2007. Prior to that, Scott began her public media career in 1999 at WCLK 91.9 FM at Clark Atlanta University.
Closer Look has become a signature broadcast for the community and brings together viewpoints from all sectors of society. In her role as executive producer and host, Scott has interviewed foreign heads of state, cabinet members, U.S. ambassadors, numerous consul generals, state, and local elected officials as well as civic and social leaders. With more than two decades of reporting in Atlanta, she has covered a wide range of topics including education, minority health issues, sports, affordable housing, immigration, and criminal justice reform. In 2013, Scott traveled to Amman, Jordan to report on the Syrian refugee crisis.
Scott has anchored national broadcasts for NPR and the BBC as well as guest appearances on other international, national and local news outlets. However, it’s the Atlanta region where Scott devotes time to community concerns as she is often called upon to moderate panel discussions and host events where service to others is at the core. Scott is well-respected in the Atlanta community for her thought-provoking reporting style and has been honored with several awards, including a Southeast Regional Emmy Award, Telly Award, Edward R. Murrow Award, an Atlanta Association of Black Journalists Award, numerous Georgia Association of Broadcasters awards, and awards from the Georgia Associated Press. She often speaks to students from high schools and colleges and universities about careers in journalism, community engagement, the importance of democracy and a free press. Rose Scott attended Indiana State University, where she studied film, television, and radio.
President McClymond, together with alumna and Oglethorpe Board of Trustees Chair Tammy Pearson, vice president and assistant general counsel at Chick-fil-A, Inc., will preside over the commencement ceremony for more than 250 graduates. The ceremony will also include a speech from Senior Class President Randi Parks and the presentation of several top faculty and staff awards.
Additional details about the ceremony may be found at commencement.oglethorpe.edu.
