Date: May 12, 2009

Hofstra University Announces 2009 Spring Commencement Honorees

Hear from Some of the Graduates

Undergraduate Ceremony
Bob Schieffer, CBS News Anchor and Moderator of Face the Nation
Nicholas Negroponte, Founder and Chairman of One Laptop per Child

Graduate Ceremony
Paul O'Neill, Former U.S. Treasury Secretary

Honors Convocation
Henry Tisdale, President of Claflin University

School of Law Ceremony
Wallace Jefferson, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Texas

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Hofstra University has announced the speakers and honorees for the Spring 2009 commencement activities on May 17, 2009. Typically, 2,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students celebrate the completion of their studies during three separate graduation exercises that day. There is also a special convocation to recognize students graduating with honors.

Graduate Ceremony
9:30 a.m., David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex

Paul O’Neill served as the 72nd Secretary of the U.S. Treasury from 2001 to 2002 under President George W. Bush. Previously, Mr. O’Neill was chairman and CEO of the Pittsburgh-based Alcoa from 1987 to 1999, retiring as Chairman at the end of 2000. Prior to that, he was president of International Paper Company from 1985 to 1987.

Honors Convocation
1:30 p.m. John Cranford Adams Playhouse

Henry Tisdale returned to his alma mater, Claflin University, as its eighth president in 1994. During his 15 years as president, Dr. Tisdale’s reputation for accomplishment, generating momentum, demonstrating commitment and his strategic approach to advancing Claflin have established him as a prominent influence in higher education. Dr. Tisdale’s inaugural pledge to place Claflin University among the premier liberal arts institutions in America was achieved in August 2008 when Forbes.com listed the University as the top Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the country and ranked Claflin in the top four percent nationally in their first-ever rankings of “America’s Best Colleges.”

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

Bob Schieffer has covered Washington for CBS News for more than 30 years and is one of the few broadcast or print journalists to have covered all four major beats in the nation’s capital – the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department and Capitol Hill. He is the network’s chief Washington correspondent and also serves as anchor and moderator of Face The Nation, CBS News’ Sunday public affairs broadcast.

Nicholas Negroponte is founder and chairman of the One Laptop per Child non-profit association. He is currently on leave from MIT, where he was co-founder and director of the MIT Media Laboratory, and the Jerome B. Wiesner Professor of Media Technology. A graduate of MIT, Negroponte was a pioneer in the field of computer-aided design, and has been a member of the MIT faculty since 1966. He is also author of the 1995 best seller, Being Digital, which has been translated into more than 40 languages.

School of Law
7:30 p.m., David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex

Wallace Jefferson has twice made history as the first African American Justice and Chief Justice on the Supreme Court of Texas. Chief Justice Jefferson was appointed to the Court in 2001, making him Governor Rick Perry’s first appointment to a statewide judicial office. He was elected in 2002 with 60 percent of the vote in the contested Republican primary, and 56 percent of the vote in the contested general election. In 2004 Governor Perry promoted him to Chief Justice. In 2006 Chief Justice Jefferson earned more votes than any other candidate for state office.

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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.

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

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 145 undergraduate and 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.
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Related Link: More Spring 2009 Commencement Information