This moment marks more than the end of a chapter—it celebrates every late night, every breakthrough, every step forward. It is the culmination of relentless determination, sacrifice, and the pursuit of excellence. We are proud to honor the scholars, leaders, creators, and changemakers who have defined their legacy at Grambling State University. Congratulations Class of Fall 2025 — this is your time.
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM CST
Venue: Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center
100 North Stadium Drive
Grambling, LA 71245
Graduate Studies
Doctor of Education, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Arts in Social Sciences, Master of Education in Special Education, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Public Administration, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Developmental Education, Master of Science in Sports Administration, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Social Work, Post Master’s Certificate
College of Arts and Sciences
Biology, Chemistry, Child Development and Early Literacy, Computer Science, Cybersecurity,
Engineering Technology, English, General Studies, History, Mathematics and Physics,
Music, Political Science, Visual and Performing Arts
Thomas and Joyce Moorehead College of Business and Entrepreneurship
Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Economics, Management, Marketing
College of Education
Kinesiology, Leisure Studies, Teacher Education degree programs
College of Professional Studies
Criminal Justice, Mass Communications, Nursing, Social Work, Sociology and Psychology
Emmy Award–Winning Journalist, Author, and Media Entrepreneur
An Emmy Award winning journalist, Jemele Hill is the Co-founder of Lodge Freeway Media and a contributing writer for The Atlantic.
On October 25, 2022, Henry Holt and Company published Hill’s memoir, UPHILL: A Memoir. In this character-rich, unapologetically provocative memoir, Hill reveals her tumultuous childhood, complicated family dynamics, and her life-saving journey into journalism.
In April of 2019, Hill debuted Jemele Hill is Unbothered on Spotify. The two-time Webby award-winning podcast features in-depth, thought-provoking conversation with some of the biggest newsmakers across entertainment, culture, music and politics. Hill also explores topical and controversial issues with humorous, candid commentary. In 2022, Jemele Hill is Unbothered, won two NAACP Awards for Outstanding Podcast in the Arts and Entertainment and Society and Culture categories. Previous Unbothered guests include, Vice President Kamala Harris, Ava DuVernay, Common, Ice Cube, Spike Lee, Gabrielle Union, Chelsea Clinton, Dan Rather, Stephen Colbert, Issa Rae, Taraji P. Henson, and Soledad O’Brien.
Unbothered was not Hill’s only contribution in the podcast arena. On April 15, 2020, Hill along with Van Lathan launched the podcast, The Wire: Way Down in the Hole. The podcast breaks down every episode on the HBO classic series. The hosts recap each show, break down signature moments, scenes, and characters.
In addition to breaking new ground as a podcaster, Hill also continued her celebrated television broadcasting career. In 2020, Hill and her longtime friend, former ESPN anchor Cari Champion, launched a weekly, late-night show on Vice Network called Cari & Jemele: Won’t Stick to Sports. The show covered politics, sports, news, current events, and pop culture.
Hill is also stretching her muscles behind the camera. She is executive producer of former NFL quarterback and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick’s documentary, which will air on ESPN and is directed by legendary filmmaker Spike Lee. She also is currently developing a comedy series with acclaimed actress Gabrielle Union.
Hill’s 20-plus year journalism career has included stops at the biggest sports media network and several reputable newspapers. She originally joined ESPN in 2006 as a national columnist for espn.com. Her profile gradually rose as she began to make appearances on television, including SportsCenter, First Take, Around the Horn, The Sports Reporters and Outside the Lines. She also spent a season as a sideline reporter for ESPN college football games.
Her foray into daily television began in 2013, when her and co-host Michael Smith began the daily, sports discussion show, His & Hers, which sprang from their popular podcast of the same name. In February 2017, Hill and Smith co-anchored the 6 p.m., SportsCenter, which debuted as a more personality-driven approach to the traditional SportsCenter. After her stint as SportsCenter host, Hill was a senior columnist for The Undefeated, ESPN’s sub-site that focuses on the intersection of sports, race, culture and politics. She eventually left ESPN in September 2018 and then a month later, she began writing about those same intersections for the highly-acclaimed socio-political magazine, The Atlantic.
Before joining ESPN, Hill was a sports columnist for the Orlando Sentinel from 2005–06 – the lone African American female sports columnist at a daily newspaper in North America. From 1999-2005, she served as a sportswriter with the Detroit Free Press covering Michigan State football and basketball. Hill began her professional career in 1997 as a general assignment sportswriter for the Raleigh News & Observer.
In August 2018, the National Association of Black Journalist awarded Hill with Journalist of the Year Award. In July 2016, Hill participated in Emmy Award-winning The President and the People: A National Conversation – a one-hour town hall with President Barack Obama on race relations, justice, policing and equality.
A native of Detroit, Hill graduated from Michigan State University in 1997 with a degree in journalism. In November of 2019, Hill married Ian Wallace.
FOR GUESTS
As families, friends, alumni, and supporters arrive at Grambling State University for Spring 2025 commencement exercises on May 9, preparation should be made to adhere to the clear bag policy. Scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m., the events will be held in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center and streamed live on Grambling State’s YouTube channel.
Parking will be limited on campus and the area immediately in front of the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center will be closed to allow for pedestrians to walk.
Permitted items include clear totes 12” x 6”x 12” in size with a logo no larger than 4.5”x3.4”; clear storage bag (resealable gallon size); small clutch or wallet no larger than 6.5”x4.5” with or without a handle or strap (can be carried separately or within an approved plastic bag); backless cushions less than 16” in size; and items required for medical, family, or childcare needs.
Prohibited items include balloons, air horns, or gifts (should be left in the vehicle); backpacks, fanny packs, purses larger than 6.5” x 4.5”; cameras with lenses longer than 6”; video cameras; pets; umbrellas; weapons; alcoholic beverages; strollers; food and beverages; beach balls; toilet tissue; artificial noisemakers; and seat cushions larger than 16” or with a zipper, pocket, or compartment.