Burns to Class of 2025: Community Is Georgia’s Greatest Strength

A Georgia Leader Preparing to Address the Class of 2025

Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns will deliver the keynote address at Augusta University’s Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 11, offering graduates a message rooted in community, service, and the values he says define Georgia at its best.

Burns previewed that message earlier this week, emphasizing that “neighbors helping neighbors” remains one of the state’s strongest traditions. “Here in Georgia, that’s what we do best,” he shared, noting he looks forward to speaking directly to the Class of 2025 about carrying those values into their futures.

A Life Shaped by Community and Public Service

As Georgia’s 75th Speaker of the House, Burns represents House District 159, which includes Screven County and parts of Effingham and Bulloch counties. Born and raised in Effingham County on his family farm, Burns credits his upbringing for instilling the principles that guide his leadership today.

“My grandparents settled on our property in north Effingham County, and we’re the fourth and fifth generations to live there and work that family farm,” Burns said. “We’ve always had a sense of community, and we’ve always been about neighbor helping neighbor.”

Those early lessons followed him into public life. Inspired by his mother’s commitment to helping others and his father’s service on the school board and county commission, Burns entered the Georgia House of Representatives in 2004. For more than two decades, he has focused on issues he believes strengthen the state’s foundation: education, healthcare access, public safety, and economic development.

A Partnership With Augusta University

Burns’ relationship with Augusta University has grown over the years through both legislative collaboration and his support for expanding educational and healthcare opportunities within the state. His work, AU leaders say, has contributed to the growth of the Medical College of Georgia and the Dental College of Georgia, strengthening their reach and impact.

“Speaker Jon Burns’ life tells a story of being a good neighbor, a passionate family man and a principled leader for our state,” said AU President Russell T. Keen. “His steadfast support of Augusta University’s mission of offering life-changing, life-saving education, clinical care and research has led to an expansion of our research facilities and ever-growing statewide presence. I know our students and their families will enjoy hearing about his journey during our commencement ceremony.”

Legislative Priorities for 2026 and Beyond

While Burns will speak to graduates about personal values and professional purpose, he remains focused on several major policy areas heading into the 2026 legislative session. Among his top priorities: expanding telehealth services through improved broadband access.

“That’s led me to develop a close relationship with the Medical College of Georgia and Augusta University because of what MCG and AU can get done,” he said. “It’s incredible.”

Burns also continues to emphasize mental health services, support for law enforcement, and policies that promote respect and balance in communities across the state.

“I’ve always been a huge supporter of our initiatives and our funding that supported our law enforcement officers,” Burns said. “Overall, I think we’re on the cusp of some really good legislation and good policies in 2026 that are going to make a difference in the lives of Georgians.”

Celebrating the Class of 2025

Augusta University will hold its commencement ceremony at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center at 10 a.m. on Dec. 11. Burns’ keynote address will highlight not only his own journey but also the values he hopes graduates will carry forward—particularly the importance of lifting up neighbors and contributing to their communities.

“If you live and interact with your neighbors across the state, it gives you a chance to do the right thing and give back to the communities that have meant so much to you,” he said. “That’s what makes Georgia so great.”