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Fort Valley State University Announces Fall 2025 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient
Posted on Nov 25, 2025 at 16:41 PM
Robert J. Jones, Ph.D., a distinguished higher education leader and esteemed alumnus, will receive an honorary doctorate degree and serve as the commencement speaker for the Fall 2025 Ceremony.
Jones, a native of Georgia and a proud first-generation college graduate, began his academic journey at Fort Valley State College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy (1973). He continued his graduate studies at the University of Georgia and the University of Missouri, launching a career that now spans more than 40 years of leadership, scholarship and innovation across several of the nation’s top public research institutions.
“As FVSU celebrates 130 years of unapologetic excellence, we are especially honored to welcome Dr. Jones back to his alma mater for this milestone commencement ceremony,” said FVSU President Paul Jones, Ph.D. “His remarkable journey from a first-generation student at Fort Valley State, to one of the nation’s most respected leaders in public higher education exemplifies the excellence, resilience and purpose that define our institution. We are proud to award him an honorary doctorate and know that his words will inspire our graduating class as they embark on their next chapter.”
In 2025, Jones became the 34th president of the University of Washington after nine successful years as chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. There, he led a historic $2.7 billion fundraising campaign, guided the creation of the world’s first engineering-based medical school and supported major enrollment growth and research advancement in fields such as precision fermentation, bioprocessing and quantum computing. Prior to that, he served for more than 30 years in leadership and academic roles at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and later as president of the University at Albany.
“I am honored to return to Fort Valley State University, and to celebrate its 130-year tradition of preparing leaders, scholars, and change-makers,” said Robert Jones, Ph.D. “FVSU was vital to the foundation of my career and calling as a scientist and educator. It opened doors of opportunity for me, and I am proud to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 and the extraordinary impact they will make in the world.”
Jones has also held major national leadership positions, including chair of the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors, the Association of American Universities (AAU), and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). His dedication to collaboration, innovation and student success has influenced the direction of higher education across the country.
The 2025 Fall Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 9:30 am in the Health and Physical Education (HPE) Complex. Guests are asked to be seated by 9 am. The university’s clear bag policy will be enforced.
For more information, visit FVSU.edu/Commencement. The ceremony will be streamed live on the FVSU YouTube channel (@FortValleyState1895).
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