Date: Apr 30, 2010

Hofstra University Announces 2010 Spring Commencement Activities and Honorees

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Hofstra University has announced the speakers and honorees for the Spring 2010 commencement activities on May 16, 2010. 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.

Honors Recognition Ceremony
9 a.m., John Cranford Adams Playhouse, South Campus

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Undergraduate Ceremony
11 a.m., James M. Shuart Stadium, South Campus

Honoree: The Honorable Governor Howard B. Dean

Governor Howard Dean, former Democratic National Committee chairman, U.S. presidential candidate, six term governor of Vermont, and practicing physician, is currently a senior strategic adviser and independent consultant for the government affairs practice at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, an international law firm.  His focus is on the areas of health care, early childhood development, alternative energy and provides expertise derived from his extensive experience in public office. Governor Dean also serves as a CNBC contributor and is the founder of Democracy for America. He currently serves as a senior presidential fellow for Hofstra University’s Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency.

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Graduate Ceremony
3:30 p.m. David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex
Honorees: Ajaypal Banga and Saul B. Katz

Ajay Banga has been the president and chief operating officer of MasterCard Worldwide (known as Mastercard International Incorporated) since August 31, 2009.  He was recently named the new president and chief executive officer of MasterCard Worldwide, effective July 1, 2010. In addition, he has been appointed to the board of directors, effective immediately. Mr. Banga is responsible for the company’s relationships with customers around the world, as well as products and services; marketing; and, technology and operations. Mr. Banga is also a member of MasterCard’s executive committee.

Saul B. Katz is the co-founder, president and chief operating officer of Sterling Equities, a real estate investment and operating company, and President and Co-Owner of the New York Mets. He is also chairman of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, and Co-Chair of the Board Overseers of the Hofstra School of Medicine being developed in partnership with North Shore- LIJ. Mr. Katz was elected president of the New York Mets in August of 2002.  Mr. Katz has been a shareholder since 1980 and has also served of the Board of Directors since 1986.  Mr. Katz is President and Partner of Brooklyn Baseball Company, which owns the Brooklyn Cyclones.

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

Honoree: Commissioner Dora B. Schriro

Dora B. Schriro is the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction. Commissioner Schriro served previously as Special Advisor to DHS Secretary Napolitano and was the first Director of the Office of Detention Policy and Planning within Immigration and Customs Enforcement. During her tenure at DHS, she authored A Report on the Preliminary Assessment of ICE Detention Policies and Practices and A Recommended Course of Action for Systems Reforms, the template for improving the nation’s immigration detention system.

Commissioner Schriro also served as Director of the Arizona Department of Corrections and the Missouri Department of Corrections. Schriro was the Warden and later, Commissioner of the St. Louis City Division of Corrections. She is the only correctional administrator in the country to have led four correctional systems, two state and two city departments of corrections. She has taught graduate criminal justice and Corrections law classes throughout her career and is published in the areas of re-entry and systems and sentencing reform.

Commissioner Schriro was recognized by her peers as the country’s top correctional administrator in 1999; received the National Governors Association Distinguished Service to State Government Award in 2006; and earned the Innovations in American Government Award for the comprehensive pre-release strategy, Getting Ready, in 2008. She is a graduate of Northeastern University (BA cum laude), University of Massachusetts-Boston (MS), Columbia University (EdD) and St. Louis University (JD).

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For additional information on commencement activities, such as eligibility, tickets, robbing 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.

Ticketing information:

Undergraduate ceremony – This ceremony is located in the James M. Shuart Stadium. NO TICKETS are needed for this ceremony.
Note  - Unless there is severe weather, (torrential rains and lightning), the Undergraduate Ceremony will be held outdoors, even if it is raining. If rain showers do occur, certain aspects of the program may be shortened. If severe weather is experienced, the start of the ceremony may be delayed for a short period to allow the weather to pass, or the ceremony will be relocated to the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

Unfortunately, due to the limited number of seats, only two (2) rain day tickets for the Mack Sports Complex and two (2) tickets to campus simulcast locations will be issued for each graduate. Graduates will receive rain day tickets at robe distribution.  Please advise family and friends to be prepared for any possible weather conditions.

Graduate and Law ceremonies - These ceremonies are located in the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex; no tickets are needed.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services; and honors studies, as well as a School of Law.

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Related Link: Commencement Web Site