Ida B. Wells Society co-founder and global investigations editor for The Associated Press Ron Nixon will give the commencement speech to the spring 2022 graduating class of the Reed College of Media at West Virginia University.
Currently based in Washington, D.C., Nixon has held a number of roles in the southeast region throughout the years. He was a staff writer for the Roanoke Times in Virginia, an editor for Southern Exposure Magazine in Durham, NC, a training director for Investigative Reporters and Editors in Columbia, Missouri and a staff writer for South Carolina Black Media in Columbia, South Carolina.
Along with his work in the southeast, Nixon has also worked for The New York Times and the Minneapolis Star Tribune in addition to serving in the United States Marine Corps. He is also presently a visiting associate for journalism and media studies at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
In addition to Nixon’s commencement speech, there will be 16 traditional ceremonies in two locations held over three days. Other commencement speakers for WVU this year include Author Denise Giardina speaking at the Elberly College of Arts and Sciences graduate ceremony, Neurosurgeon Dr. Michael L. J. Apuzzo speaking at the School of Medicine ceremony, and Designer and Stylist Matt Van Dyne who will give the commencement to the graduating class of the College of Creative Arts.
“It’s an honor to be chosen as the commencement speaker for Reed College of Media. The college has produced some of the best journalists and media professionals in the world and I’m thrilled to be able to address the new graduates,” shared Nixon.
The College of Media commencement will take place at 9 a.m. on May 13 in the WVU Coliseum.
