ABC News President Kim Godwin, a Panama City native, to speak at FSU-PC graduation Sunday

PANAMA CITY— ABC News President Kim Godwin, a Panama City native, will be the keynote speaker at Florida State University Panama City's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday.

The university's graduation will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Tommy Oliver Stadium with 153 spring graduates slated to receive their degrees — 97 bachelor's degrees and 56 master's degrees. In addition, FSU Panama City will recognize graduates from summer 2022 and fall 2021 during the ceremony.

"Commencement is one way we celebrate and honor students' achievements," said FSU Panama City Dean Randy Hanna. "Some graduates will pursue advanced degrees, while others will take the next steps in their careers, and we want to recognize this milestone in their lives."

Godwin, who earned her bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Florida A&M University, will speak to the graduates at the start of the ceremony.

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Godwin oversees editorial and business operations for broadcast, digital, streaming, and audio news across the organization, which includes trusted and iconic franchises "Good Morning America," "World News Tonight," "20/20," "Nightline," "FiveThirtyEight," "The View" and :This Week."

She was recognized in November 2020 by the National Association of Black Journalists and the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University with the Ida B. Wells Award for advocating for coverage of communities of color, building a diverse newsroom, and championing young journalists throughout their careers.

"It sends a great signal for students who have a connection to Panama City that they can do anything," Hanna said. "Godwin is at the top of her profession and respected across the country, and I just appreciate her coming to speak with our graduates."

Jim Clark, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs for Florida State University, will preside over the ceremony. The university will recognize students and student-veterans who have earned academic honors and distinction, including those inducted into the Garnet Key Honor Society.

Hanna said the 2022 graduates always will have a place to call home.

"These graduates have helped make FSU Panama City one of the greatest institutions," he said. "We're very proud of them, and this campus will always be their home."

While the commencement ceremony recognizes and celebrates students' accomplishments, commencement also signifies the culminating success of all the hard work, personal attention, and commitment to student success that FSU Panama City faculty and staff provide to graduates.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: FSU-Panama City welcomes ABC News president to graduation