WILSON, N.C. — March 27, 2025 — Elizabeth Hudson, Editor in Chief at “Our State,” will deliver the keynote address at the 123rd annual commencement exercises of Barton College, scheduled for Saturday, May 17, on center campus at 10:30 a.m.
“The College is delighted to welcome Elizabeth Hudson as our featured commencement speaker in May,” shared Dr. Douglas N. Searcy, president of Barton College. “Elizabeth has dedicated her career to storytelling that celebrates the rich history, diverse landscapes, and resilient spirit of our state, and her work has shaped the cultural fabric of North Carolina. Her commitment to uplifting local voices and her passion for our state make her the perfect choice to address our students on this momentous day, and her message will undoubtedly resonate with our graduates as they embark on their own journeys.”
Hudson is a native of North Carolina and holds a B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She started her publishing career in 1997 at “Our State” magazine, first answering phones in the circulation department and later transitioning to the editorial team. After holding various editorial positions, she was appointed editor in chief of the 90-year-old publication in 2009.
Under Hudson’s leadership, the magazine has seen exceptional growth in addition to being honored with multiple awards. In 2011 and 2012, “Our State” won consecutive Gold Eddies for “Best Issue” of a regional magazine from “FOLIO:” magazine. The Gold Eddie award is a prestigious honor, recognizing excellence in editorial quality and creativity for magazine issues published during a given year.
Hudson has received numerous awards for her work, including the 2014 Ethel N. Fortner Writer and Community Award, the 2016 Charles Kuralt Award, and induction into the North Caroliniana Society in 2019. She also accepted the 2019 Alumni Award from her alma mater, the University of North Carolina Greensboro. In 2021, she was honored with the Book Award of Excellence from the North Carolina Society of Historians for her book “Silver Linings.”
Through her 20 years with the magazine, Hudson has discovered the best barbecue joints and the state’s most photographed waterfalls. She’s walked the same sand on the Outer Banks where pirates once roamed, and she knows just the right amount of milk to make the perfect bowl of southern snow cream. Her stories are woven from these experiences, drawing from a deep love and knowledge of the place she calls home.
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