The University's Winter Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for December 12 in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center
University News |September 28, 2026
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones will deliver the keynote address to graduates at Batten University’s Winter 2026 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, December 12, in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.
A lifelong Norfolk resident, Attorney General Jones made history in January when he was sworn in as Virginia’s 49th Attorney General and the first African American to hold the office. His career in public service includes representing Norfolk in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2018 to 2022 and serving as an Assistant Attorney General in the District of Columbia’s Office of Consumer Protection. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Attorney General Jones comes from a family with deep roots in public service in Hampton Roads. His grandfather, Hilary H. Jones Sr., was a civil rights attorney, the first African American member of the Norfolk School Board, and the first African American appointed to Virginia’s State Board of Education. His father, Jerrauld C. Jones, served in the Virginia General Assembly, led the Commonwealth’s Department of Juvenile Justice, and later served as a Circuit Court judge. His mother, Lyn Simmons, is a judge on the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
“We look forward to welcoming Attorney General Jones to campus as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates at our first Winter Commencement as Batten University,” said President Scott D. Miller. “His experience in law and public service provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of civic responsibility, leadership, and service to others as our graduates prepare for the opportunities ahead.”
Learn more about 2026 Winter Commencement.