The publicity will be decidedly more positive the next time a Wake County school appears on NBC's "Today Show."

The Today Show was at Combs Elementary School in Raleigh this morning to film author John Grisham reading his new book to students. Grisham's first children's novel, "Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer," will be coming out next week.

From the weekend: Two more local universities hosted graduation ceremonies Sunday.

At UNC-Chapel Hill, author John Grisham gave a witty address for 5,630 graduates. The story's here and a photo gallery is here.

 And at Meredith College in Raleigh, 460 new graduates turned their tassels Sunday. The speaker there was Gretchen Holt Witt, a 1989 Meredith graduate and founder of an organization that raises money for pediatric cancer initiatives.

You can read about Meredith's commencement here, and click here for an extended photo gallery.

 Sunday's ceremonies came a day after three others in the Triangle. 

On Saturday, Shaw University, Peace College and Saint Augustine's College all held their commencements as well.

 And what faces all these new graduates, many of whom are now joining - or at least trying to join - the workforce?

In Sunday's News & Observer, reporter Sue Stock addresses that issue and suggests that maybe, sorta, things are looking up. Kinda. A little.

John Grisham, author of 23 books including numerous best-selling legal thrillers, will deliver UNC-Chapel Hill's spring commencement address.

Chancellor Holden Thorp will preside at the ceremony on May 9 at 9:30 a.m. in Kenan Stadium.

Grisham's daughter, Shea,graduated from UNC-CH last year with a degree in elementary education and teaches in Raleigh.

“John is an engaging speaker who will have a profound message for our graduates and their families,” Thorp said in a news release. “His prowess with the written and spoken word makes him an excellent choice for a commencement speaker.  He has an inspirational story to share.”

Thorp chose Grisham in consultation with the University’s Commencement Speaker Selection Committee, which is made up of an equal number of students and faculty.

The author spoke at two North Carolina Literary Festivals held on campus, in 1998 and the most recent festival in September. 

Grisham’s last book, "Ford County," was published on Nov. 3 and is his first collection of short stories. "The Innocent Man," published in 2006, was his first work of non-fiction. Nine of his books have been made into movies.