BATON ROUGE - LSU alumna Amy Brittain, a Washington Post investigative reporter, gave the keynote address at Friday’s summer commencement as 696 students received their degrees.

LSU President F. King Alexander was on hand to introduce Brittain.

“We’re proud of Amy’s hard work and the impact she’s had by bringing light to so many difficult situations. Your education arms you with the tools necessary to impact the world around you. That’s what Amy did with her LSU degree, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll do with yours,” said King.

Brittain is a native of Shreveport who joined the Washington Post staff after graduation from LSU.

“What I hold true in my heart, above all else, is the pursuit of the truth,” Brittain said. “I try to live by that principle through my reporting and through my writing.”

Brittain delivered poignant words about her experience with coming back to the Capital City in the light of recent tragic events in Baton Rouge.

“Three weeks ago, I drove around neighborhoods that I had never set foot in,” she said, “and I had a moment when I realized that it took seven years for me to truly see the real Baton Rouge. I stand here telling you that, feeling a little embarrassed, and a little ashamed. But I say that to make a point. Sometimes, you get comfortable without even realizing it. Sometimes, to get a little closer to the truth, you have to get uncomfortable.”

The Washington Post’s staff was recently awarded a Pulitzer Prize for national reporting.

Of the 696 students graduating at summer commencement, 365 earned bachelor’s degrees and 178 earned master’s degrees. Another eight students received a certificate of education specialist, two received graduate certificates, 19 received post-bachelorette certificates and 124 received doctoral degrees.

LSU said this summer commencement broke several records including the largest summer graduating class of African American students ever. It was also the largest number of Hispanic students receiving bachelor’s degrees since summer commencement began, according to the university.

The August 2016 class included students from 40 different Louisiana parishes, 34 U.S. states and 44 foreign countries. The oldest graduate was 66, and the three youngest were all 21.

A complete list of the graduates who authorized the release of their names is available at www.lsu.edu/commencement.

A collection of the best tweets that were posted before, during and after the ceremony can be seen here.