Savannah State University has announced that Lars N. Minns, Chief Human Resources Officer for Mercedes-Benz North America, will deliver the keynote address at its fall 2025 commencement ceremony. The event is scheduled to take place at Enmarket Arena on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 3 p.m., where over 240 graduates are expected to attend.
“It is an immense privilege to host Mr. Lars N. Minns, the Chief HR Officer for Mercedes-Benz, North America, as our speaker for the Fall 2025 commencement,” said SSU President Dr. Jermaine Whirl. “Savannah State students are known for their resilience and drive, and I believe Mr. Minns’ expertise in managing talent and navigating the complexities of a major global corporation will offer a truly valuable perspective. His address will serve as a powerful motivator for our graduates as they prepare to transition their academic excellence into professional success.”
Minns oversees human resources operations for Mercedes-Benz North America’s sales, marketing, and distribution activities in the United States and Canada. Under his direction, the company is engaged in a significant transformation aimed at becoming the leading electric luxury automotive brand in North America.
Prior to joining Mercedes-Benz, Minns was senior manager of talent acquisition at The Home Depot’s At Home Services division. He led recruitment strategies for this rapidly expanding segment and held various positions over a decade with the company, focusing on talent management across several departments during major organizational changes intended to improve efficiency.
Minns began his career holding positions in IT consulting, sales, and recruiting during the dot-com era and Y2K period. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Hampton University in Virginia.
In addition to his corporate role, Minns is involved with several organizations: he serves on the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank’s Human Capital Advisory Council; participates in Leadership Atlanta; and sits on the Board of Trustees at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School. Originally from Nassau, Bahamas, he lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia with his wife Moya and their three children.
The university also noted that there will be no classes or dining services from November 22–29, 2025 due to Thanksgiving break; campus offices will be closed November 27–28.
