Concussions expert to give December commencement speech

A certified genius will send off UNC students who are graduating in December.

Chancellor Carol Folt and the Commencement Speaker Selection Committee named professor Kevin Guskiewicz as the guest speaker for the December commencement ceremony.

“It was kind of like getting called to the principal’s office,” Guskiewicz said. “I got called to the office of the Provost, and I really did not think it was going to be anything of this type of magnitude.”

The commencement ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. in the Dean Smith Center on Dec. 15.

Guskiewicz, a professor of exercise and sport science and senior associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, was awarded the MacArthur Genius Grant, which is worth $500,000, two years ago for his work on preventing concussions.

He was also featured in Time magazine’s list of America’s top innovators.

Jane Smith, associate director for University events, said it is a UNC tradition to have a faculty member speak at December commencement.

“Guskiewicz is a great guy and a tremendous asset to our faculty,” Smith said.

Janelle Davis, a senior journalism major, will be among the graduates in December. She said because she is an out-of-state student, graduating early will allow her to save money.

She said the University’s decision to have a professor speak was a good choice.

“I think it is cool the speaker will be someone a lot of people know and respect,” Davis said. “It is a great honor for him, and because he is a professor here at the University, he will be able to connect with students and life here at UNC.”

Guskiewicz said he plans to center his speech on the ideas of perseverance and integrity.

His work primarily focuses on improving the safety of football players — particularly by using technology to recognize signs of concussions during games.

Guskiewicz said he was honored and thrilled to learn that he was selected by students, faculty members and Chancellor Folt to speak in December.

“Because our research is on a controversial topic we have had to convince a lot of people and naysayers,” Guskiewicz said.

“I hope I will be able to translate the idea of perseverance and the benefits of surrounding yourself with good people to the graduates.”

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