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AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Officials name senior vice president, chief of staff
By Fiona Riley, Assistant News Editor • March 26, 2024

Commencement Speakers

First lady Michelle Obama will be the keynote speaker for the University-wide Commencement ceremony and will receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree.

Since entering the White House, Obama has been an avid advocate of public service and issued GW a 100,000 service hour challenge in that spirit. The University has surpassed that goal, and a grand total of hours completed will be announced at Commencement.

A. James Clark, an entrepreneur and trustee emeritus, serves as chairman of the board and CEO of Clark Enterprises, Inc, the company owns Clark Construction Group, which has constructed several buildings on campus. Clark will receive an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree.

Award-winning pianist and composer Dave Brubeck will receive an honorary Doctor of Music degree. GW awarded Brubeck its highest honor, the Presidential Medal, in 2001 and hosted the Brubeck Jazz Festival in 2008.


School Ceremonies

Alumnus Ric Duques, former chairman of First Data Corporation and benefactor of Ric and Dawn Duques Hall, will address the School of Business undergraduates.

Marcia Bullard, retiring president and chief executive of USA Weekend magazine, will also speak at the graduate School of Business ceremony.

Rose Gottemoeller, assistant secretary of state for the Office of Verification, Compliance and Implementation, will address both graduate and undergraduate students at the Elliott School of International Affairs ceremony. Gottemoeller received her master’s degree from the Elliott School in 1981.

Assistant Secretary for the Employee Benefits Security Administration Phyllis Borzi will speak to graduates of the School of Public Health and Health Services.

Dr. Peter Hotez will speak to graduates of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Hotez is the chair of the department of microbiology, immunology and tropical medicine at GW and a distinguished research professor.

Lisa St. Clair Harvey, associate professor of media and public affairs, is slated to speak to students at the 12 p.m. Columbian College of Arts and Sciences ceremonies. Associate professor of anthropology and international affairs Stephen Lubkemann will address students at the 3:30 p.m. CCAS celebration.

Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Mary Schapiro is scheduled to speak to graduates of her alma mater, the GW Law School.

College of Professional Studies graduates will hear from Michelle Moore, a federal environmental executive.

Dr. H. Vincent Poor, Welling professor at GW and dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton University, will address graduating students in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Anoma Sugandhie Hapangama, from the Graduate School of Education and Human Development, will speak to fellow graduating students at the GSEHD ceremony. Seniors Kate Mirzozoda and Jacey Bennis will address fellow graduates from the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Elliott School senior Zoe Petkanas will be the student speaker at the University-wide Commencement ceremony on the National Mall. Petkanas has been offered a critical language scholarship from the U.S. State Department and will travel to Muscat, Oman after graduation.

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