Newswise — American University will honor two dedicated public servants, one of the founding editors of USA TODAY and a pioneering environmental research scientist when it confers honorary doctoral degrees at its 122nd commencement scheduled for Sunday, May 11 and Sunday, May 18.
A noted leader in the fields of government and business, Vernon E. Jordan Jr. will speak at 9 a.m. on May 11 during a joint commencement ceremony for graduates of the School of Public Affairs and the Kogod School of Business and will receive a doctor of public service degree. Since 2005, Jordan has been a senior director at Lazard Ltd. and Lazard Group, a financial advisory and asset management firm. He has served as president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League, executive director of the United Negro College Fund and as a key member of President Bill Clinton's transition team in the mid-90s.
National Geographic oceanographer and explorer-in-residence Sylvia Earle will receive an honorary doctor of science degree when she addresses the university's College of Arts and Sciences at 1 p.m. on May 11. The author and field research scientist has led more than 60 expeditions and logged more than 6,000 hours underwater, including leading the first team of women aquanauts during the Tektite Project in 1970. She also set a record for solo diving to a depth of 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). Her research specialty focuses on marine ecosystems with an emphasis on the development and use of new technologies for access and effective operations in the deep sea and other remote environments.
Ken Paulson, one the journalists who founded USA TODAY, will address graduates of the School of International Affairs and the School of Communication at 4:30 p.m. on May 11. After the launch of USA TODAY, Paulson managed Gannett newsrooms throughout the United States. He later returned to the newspaper's headquarters in Northern Virginia. An early advocate of making newspaper content available online, he is currently the editor of both the print edition and the online companion, usatoday.com. Paulson will receive an honorary doctor of letters degree.
Graduates of the Washington College of Law will hear from U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer. In 1980, Breyer was appointed to the bench by President Jimmy Carter, as judge on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, becoming its chief judge in 1990. His nomination in 1994 by President Clinton was hailed by moderate Democrats and Republicans. Breyer will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree at a ceremony on May 18.
In addition to conferring honorary degrees, the university will recognize Daniel Dreisbach, professor of justice, law and society as the Scholar/Teacher of the Year. The President's Award, the highest award for undergraduate students, also will be presented to a graduating senior who has displayed a longstanding commitment to building community and promoting AU's ideals of academic achievement, integrity, selflessness, leadership and service. These honors will be bestowed at the May 11 ceremonies.
More than 1,900 students will participate in commencement events on Sunday, May 11 in the university's Bender Arena (4400 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.). It is a longstanding tradition for American University to hold graduation ceremonies on Mother's Day. One week later, on Sunday, May 18 at 1 p.m., 450 students will participate in the Washington College of Law's graduation ceremony, also held in Bender Arena.
Located in Washington, D.C., American University is a leader in global education, enrolling a diverse student body from throughout the United States and nearly 140 countries and providing opportunities for academic excellence, public service and internships in the nation's capital and around the world.
Media RSVP: On-site registration and check-in will be located at the Bender Arena loading dock. All media must be checked in 15 minutes prior to the start of each ceremony. Parking will be available at the Asbury Parking Lot next to the arena.
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