Date: May 09, 2011

Hofstra University Announces 2011 Spring Commencement Activities and Honorees

Sunday, May 22

9:15 a.m. Graduate Ceremony
Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Jan Peter Balkenende

3:30 p.m. Undergraduate Ceremony
Emmy Award-Winning Creator and Producer of Everybody Loves Raymond
Phil Rosenthal ’81

7:30 p.m. School of Law Ceremony –
New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Hofstra University has announced the honorees for the spring commencement activities on May 22, 2011. Typically, 2,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students celebrate the completion of their studies during three separate graduation exercises that day.

2011 Commencement: Photos | Video

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Graduate Ceremony
9:15 a.m. David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex

Honoree: Jan Peter Balkenende

Jan Peter Balkenende served four terms as prime minister and minister of general affairs of the Netherlands from 2002 to 2010. Currently, he is professor of governance, institutions and internationalization at Erasmus University Rotterdam and a partner at Ernst & Young.

As prime minister and minister of general affairs, Professor Balkenende achieved notable reforms in the areas of social security, pre-pension facilities, public health and deregulation. In addition, he played an active international role in the European Council, G20, and United Nations, with special emphasis on sustainable development, summit goals and the World Trade Organization.

Professor Balkenende held a number of public service positions throughout the 1980s until his appointment as prime minister. From 1982 to 1984, he served as legal affairs policy officer at the Netherlands Universities Council, the umbrella organization for Dutch universities. He then served as a senior staff member at the policy institute of the Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA) until 1998. From 1998 to 2002, he was a member of the House of Representatives of the States-General for the CDA and financial spokesperson for the CDA parliamentary party.

 

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Undergraduate Ceremony
3:30 p.m., James M. Shuart Stadium, South Campus

Honoree: Phil Rosenthal ’81

Phil Rosenthal, B.F.A., ’81 is best known as the creator and the executive producer of the long-running CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. During its nine seasons, Everybody Loves Raymond won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2003 and 2005.

Mr. Rosenthal was named Hofstra’s Alumnus of the Year in 2005, and has been a frequent guest to campus. In March 2011, he came to Hofstra to screen his new documentary, Exporting Raymond, the funny true story of his attempt to turn Everybody Loves Raymond into a Russian sitcom.

He is the author of the book You're Lucky You're Funny: How Life Becomes a Sitcom (2006), and also directed President Bill Clinton in the White House Correspondents' Dinner video in 2000. In addition, Mr. Rosenthal co-wrote the 9/11 telethon, America: A Tribute to Heroes, which aired on all four television networks and won a Peabody Award and a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing.

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School of Law
7:30 p.m., David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex
Honoree: New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman

As attorney general, Eric T. Schneiderman is the highest-ranking law enforcement officer for the state, responsible for representing New York and its residents in legal matters.

In his first weeks in office, Attorney General Schneiderman launched an aggressive plan to expose fraud and return money stolen from New York taxpayers, at no additional cost to the state. This initiative includes a new Taxpayer Protection Unit, as well as a plan to bolster his office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which has recovered millions of dollars to taxpayers by cracking down on fraud in the Medicaid program.

Attorney General Schneiderman has taken a leading role in the national fight for a fair mortgage settlement for homeowners that holds banks accountable for their role in the foreclosure crisis; initiated several investigations of government corruption and misuse of public funds; launched a thorough review of AT&T Inc.’s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA Inc.; and challenged the Indian Point Energy Center’s nuclear power plant practices related to high-level radioactive waste storage, earthquake preparedness and fire safety.

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For additional information on commencement activities, such as eligibility, tickets, robing and diplomas, please visit hofstra.edu/commencement or call the Commencement office at (516) 463-4346. In the event of inclement weather please call the weather hotline (516) 463-SNOW regarding the status of the ceremony.

For information on media coverage, please call the office of University Relations at (516) 463-6818.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution of higher education where more than 12,000 full and part-time students choose from undergraduate and graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering, communication, education, health and human services, honors studies, a School of Law and the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.

Related Link: More info about Commencement - schedule, robing, tickets, etc.