More than a dozen distinguished individuals will speak at Commencement-related events this week for Washington University in St. Louis graduates and their friends and families.
The weeklong celebration culminates at 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 16, with WUSTL’s 153rd Commencement ceremony in Brookings Quadrangle, where about 2,800 members of the Class of 2014 will receive their degrees.
Tony La Russa, who is being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in July and is considered one of the best managers in baseball history, will deliver the Commencement address.
Other speakers and events during the week are:
Jeroo Billimoria, managing director of Child and Youth Finance International, for the Brown School, at 3 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Ave. in University City.
Bunny Burson (MFA ’05), for the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts’ College of Art/Graduate School of Art, at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 15, in Graham Chapel.
William W. Clark, PhD, professor of otolaryngology and director of the Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences, for the Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences, at 1 p.m. Friday, May 16, in the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center, Connor Auditorium.
Glen Gillen, EdD, associate professor of clinical occupational therapy at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, for the Program in Occupational Therapy, at 1 p.m. Friday, May 16, in Graham Chapel. The faculty speaker is Kerri Morgan, instructor of occupational therapy and neurology. Student speakers are Sarah Hendred, candidate for a master’s in occupational therapy, and Kari Burch, candidate for a doctorate in occupational therapy.
Rodney Henmi, director of design at HKIT Architects, for the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts’ College of Architecture/Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design ceremony, immediately following the main Commencement ceremony, in the Brookings Drive Mall. The faculty speaker is Peter MacKeith, professor. The graduate student speaker is David M. Adkin, a master’s candidate in architecture and urban design; the undergraduate student speaker is Amanda Garcia, a bachelor’s candidate in architecture.
Daniel L. Keating, JD, dean and the Tyrrell Williams Professor of Law for the School of Law recognition ceremony, immediately following the main Commencement ceremony, at Mudd Field. The student speakers are Andrew J. Liebler and Stanley A. Thompson Jr., both candidates for juris doctorates.
David A. Lawton, professor of English in the Department of English in Arts & Sciences, for the University College Recognition Ceremony, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, in Simon Hall Auditorium. The student speaker is Mack Alan Bradley, master’s candidate in international affairs in University College.
Mark McClellan, MD, PhD, a senior fellow and director of the Health Care Innovation and Value Initiative at the Brookings Institution, for the School of Medicine, at 3 p.m. Friday, May 16, in the Ferrara Theater of America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza. The student speaker is Philip Laurence Perez, class president, candidate for a doctor of medicine.
James V. O’Donnell (BSBA, MBA ’74), president and CEO of financial services holding company Bush O’Donnell & Co., for Olin Business School’s Graduate Ceremony, at 3 p.m. Friday, May 16, in the Athletic Complex Field House.
Mark C. Pydynowski (BSBA ’04), who leads business development and product at Capital One Labs, for Olin Business School’s Undergraduate Ceremony, at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 16, in the Athletic Complex Field House.
Ralph S. Quatrano, PhD, dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science and the Spencer T. Olin Professor, for the School of Engineering Undergraduate and Graduate Recognition Ceremonies; the undergraduate ceremony is at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, in the Athletic Complex Field House; the graduate ceremony is at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, in Edison Theatre. Student speakers for the undergraduate ceremony are Caleb Ford, a bachelor’s candidate in biomedical engineering; Kevin Kieselbach, a bachelor’s and master’s candidate in computer science and economics, respectively; and Kranti Peddada, a bachelor’s candidate in biomedical engineering.
Larry Shapiro, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine; Victoria J. Fraser, MD, the Adolphus Busch Professor and head of the Department of Medicine; and Graham Colditz, MD, DrPh, deputy director of the Institute for Public Health, the Niess-Gain Professor of Surgery and Professor of Medicine, and associate director of Siteman Cancer Center, for the programs in Clinical Investigation, Applied Health Behavior Research and Population Health Sciences, at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 15, in the King Center in the Bernard Becker Medical Library.
Jennifer R. Smith, PhD, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, for the College of Arts & Sciences Recognition Ceremony, at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 15, in Brookings Quadrangle. The student speaker is Michele D. Hall, bachelor’s candidate in political science and in African and African-American studies, in Arts & Sciences.
Ellen Spake, PhD, professor of physical therapy at Rockhurst University and assistant to the president in the Office of Mission and Ministry at Rockhurst, for the Program in Physical Therapy at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, in the Khorassan Ballroom, The Chase Park Plaza, 212 N. Kingshighway. The faculty speaker is Susan S. Deusinger, PhD, executive director of the Program in Physical Therapy and a professor of physical therapy and of neurology. The student speaker is Matthew Leonard, candidate for a doctorate in physical therapy.
Diana Chapman Walsh, PhD, president emerita of Wellesley College, for the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Hooding and Recognition Ceremony, at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 16, in the E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall, 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Ave. in University City.
For an updated and complete list of Commencement activities, visit commencement.wustl.edu.