State Rep. Jon Burns, the 75th speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, will address Augusta University’s undergraduate commencement on December 11 at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center. Burns, who represents House District 159 covering Screven County and parts of Effingham and Bulloch counties, has served in the Georgia House since 2004.
Burns credits his upbringing on a family farm in Effingham County for shaping his values. “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,” he said. “We’ve always had a sense of community, and we’ve always been about neighbor helping neighbor.”
He was influenced by his parents’ commitment to public service—his mother’s dedication to helping others and his father’s roles on local boards—which led him into politics. “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,” Burns said. “That’s what makes Georgia so great.”
Burns holds degrees from Georgia Southern College (now University) and John Marshall Law School. Over more than twenty years in office, he has focused on education, health care access, public safety, and economic development.
Augusta University President Russell T. Keen commented on Burns’ support for the institution: “Speaker Jon Burns’ life tells a story of being a good neighbor, a passionate family man and a principled leader for our state. 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 for Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia and Dental College of Georgia. Speaker Jon Burns is a dear friend, and I know our students and their families will enjoy hearing about his journey during our commencement ceremony.”
Burns highlighted his collaboration with several governors—Sonny Perdue, Nathan Deal, Brian P. Kemp—and pointed to progress made under their leadership: “I’ve been a part of a great team for a number of years,” he said. “It was an honor serving with leaders who guided the state through tough times and great accomplishments.”
Health care remains central to Burns’ priorities as he seeks to expand telehealth through 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.”
He also emphasized mental health services funding as well as law enforcement support: “I’ve always been a huge supporter of our initiatives and our funding that supported our law enforcement officers and brought a balance, if you will, to how we interact with each other and show respect to each other,” he 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.”
The upcoming commencement ceremony will feature Burns as keynote speaker before graduating students at Augusta University.
