President and publisher of The Jackson Sun Edward E. Graves will deliver the keynote address at the University of Tennessee at Martin’s spring commencement at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 10 in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.

A near-record number of about 600 degrees are expected to be awarded.

Graves, who has 19 years experience in newspaper management, began his newspaper career in 1984 at the Lexington (Ky.) Herald Leader.

He joined Gannett’s Florida TODAY in July 1986 and has held management positions at several Gannett papers throughout the Southeast.

He was named president and publisher of The Jackson Sun in July 2000.

Graves has been active in the newspaper industry serving on the National Readership Development Committee and as president of the Newspaper Association of America Federation Board.

He has served as discussion leader for American Press Institute Newspaper Executive Training seminars and as a panelist for the Brazilian Newspaper Association World Congress, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1999.

He has been awarded the Gannett Presidents Award for Excellence four times and was named the Gannett Circulation Executive of the Year in 1999.

Graves earned a bachelor’s degree in art and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Eastern Kentucky University. In addition, he has participated in the Gannett Executive Training Programs and the American Press Institute Training Modules.

UT Martin Chancellor Nick Dunagan will preside over the exercises and confer the degrees.

Alumni Distinguished Service Professor G.K. Sharma, professor of biological sciences, will be the mace bearer, and the processional marshals will be Faculty Senate President Nancy Warren, Faculty Senate Past President Ed Wheeler, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Al Hooten, and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Katie High.

A reception will immediately follow commencement ceremonies in the Duncan Ballroom in the Ed and Carolyn Boling University Center.