Nbc News Channel Washington Bureau Chief To Speak At Spring Commencement

Apr. 13, 2012

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@caiyo.net, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - NBC News Channel Washington Bureau Chief and 1987 University of North Alabama Graduate Jay Hurt will speak to the spring 2012 graduating class May 12 at 10 a.m. in Flowers Hall. Hurt, the son of late UNA journalism professor Bobbie Hurt, has worked for a number of esteemed media groups throughout his career. Hurt joined the NBC News Channel in 1993 and served as a senior producer and manager of affiliate services before taking on the role of Washington Bureau Chief in 1997. Hurt now oversees and manages the editorial and technical operations of the News Channel in Washington, as well as six NBC studios that provide live national programming each day for NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC. Throughout Hurt's career, he has also managed the studio production crews for nine daily MSNBC shows, including "Hardball with Chris Matthews." Since arriving at NBC, Hurt has planned and provided news coverage for a number of major political events, including presidential caucuses and primaries, presidential debates, presidential inaugurations and president national conventions. His other news coverage includes the 1996 summer Olympics in Atlanta, the O.J. Simpson arrest and trial, Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and one-year 9/11 anniversary at ground zero. Before working at NBC News Channel, Hurt held positions for Florence TV station WOWL-TV, Sun World Satellite News and Washington News Network. Hurt, a native of Florence, was a member of UNA's Kappa Sigma fraternity and helped to establish the first fraternity house on the university's "Fraternity Row." For more information or for press photos, contact University Communications at 256-765-4225.