Seminole State alumnus Eric Burris on finding truth in the storm

Seminole State College of Florida welcomed WESH meteorologist and Seminole State alumnus Eric Burris to the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus Tuesday, Sept. 1, for Coffee Talk on Campus: How to Find Truth in the Hurricane Season Hype. Part of Seminole State’s collegewide media literacy initiative, the event brought students, employees and community members together for an engaging conversation about how to separate fact from fiction during hurricane season and beyond. With his signature charisma and expertise, Burris shared insight from his career in meteorology and the responsibility that comes with delivering accurate, timely information when people need it most.

Burris’ connection to weather began long before his career in television. Growing up with a single mother who worked hard and instilled in him a strong work ethic, he developed an appreciation for the people who provide reliable information during difficult moments. He had always been fascinated by weather, but taking a meteorology course at Seminole State helped turn that interest into a career path. Reflecting on his own experiences as a child seeking information and experts he could trust during storms, Burris said, “I knew I wanted to do exactly that... to be this beacon of comfort in a storm for somebody else.” Today, he sees that role as more than forecasting the weather. “This is a calling. We try to be there for viewers when the weather is terrible outside and be the guiding light through the storm.”

That responsibility is especially important in an era when information can spread instantly across social media. Burris encouraged attendees to question what they see online, verify sources and pay attention to the tone and intent behind messages—particularly during hurricane season, when sensational or inaccurate information can create unnecessary fear. While social media can be a valuable tool for sharing information, he cautioned that the drive to capture attention can sometimes blur the line between informing and sensationalizing. “There’s a really fine line between being strategic and pushing it overboard,” Burris said.

His visit reflects Seminole State’s ongoing commitment to helping students and the broader community become informed, thoughtful consumers of information. Through its collegewide media literacy campaign, the College is equipping Raiders with the skills to evaluate sources, recognize misinformation and make informed decisions in an increasingly complex media landscape. For Burris, that mission connects directly to the reason he chose this career in the first place: helping people find trustworthy information when it matters most.