Spring Break
Graduation speakers announced
By: Josh Kurtz
Issue date: 6/1/07 Section: News
Originally published: 6/1/07 at 1:42 AM EST
Last update: 6/1/07 at 1:42 AM EST
Originally published: 6/1/07 at 1:42 AM EST
Last update: 6/1/07 at 1:42 AM EST
The University has released its list of graduation speakers broken down by college for the 120th Commencement.
Walter D'Alessio, vice chairman of NorthMarq Capital will speak to the LeBow College of Business.
Donna E. Shalala, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, will speak to the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions and the School of Public Health.
Edmund D. Bossone, one of the leading philanthropists in Drexel's history, and Charles Isdell, director of aviation for the City of Philadelphia, will speak to the College of Engineering; School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems; and the School of Education.
Solomon "Kal" Rudman, a music and show-business leader, will speak to the College of Media Arts and Design, College of Information Science and Technology and the Goodwin College of Professional Studies.
All speakers will also receive an honorary degree from Drexel.
Provost Dr. Stephen Director said that honorary degree recipients are chosen because they have made a positive impact in their field.
"The operative word is someone who is distinguished," Director said.
Anyone at Drexel can nominate a graduation speaker, according to Niki Gianakaris of the Drexel News Bureau.
Once nominations for speakers are received, the prospective speakers receive invitations from the college. Out of the speakers who accept their invitation, President Constantine Papadakis makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees. The Board ultimately approves the honorary degree recipients, explained Gianakaris.
There is no formal policy for evaluating speakers after the commencement ceremony. Director explained that a review would only help gage people's opinion of the one specific speaker. The evaluation would therefore have limited usefulness for choosing future speakers, he said.
It can be difficult to tell how effective a speaker will be until the actual speech, Director added.
Walter D'Alessio, vice chairman of NorthMarq Capital will speak to the LeBow College of Business.
Donna E. Shalala, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, will speak to the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions and the School of Public Health.
Edmund D. Bossone, one of the leading philanthropists in Drexel's history, and Charles Isdell, director of aviation for the City of Philadelphia, will speak to the College of Engineering; School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems; and the School of Education.
Solomon "Kal" Rudman, a music and show-business leader, will speak to the College of Media Arts and Design, College of Information Science and Technology and the Goodwin College of Professional Studies.
All speakers will also receive an honorary degree from Drexel.
Provost Dr. Stephen Director said that honorary degree recipients are chosen because they have made a positive impact in their field.
"The operative word is someone who is distinguished," Director said.
Anyone at Drexel can nominate a graduation speaker, according to Niki Gianakaris of the Drexel News Bureau.
Once nominations for speakers are received, the prospective speakers receive invitations from the college. Out of the speakers who accept their invitation, President Constantine Papadakis makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees. The Board ultimately approves the honorary degree recipients, explained Gianakaris.
There is no formal policy for evaluating speakers after the commencement ceremony. Director explained that a review would only help gage people's opinion of the one specific speaker. The evaluation would therefore have limited usefulness for choosing future speakers, he said.
It can be difficult to tell how effective a speaker will be until the actual speech, Director added.
