SAN
FRANCISCO — Dec. 16, 2011—The University of San Francisco’s newest class of
graduates will be honored today, along with three distinguished individuals
receiving honorary doctorate degrees. Almost
900 students have been invited to participate in the 156th
commencement exercises, including 401 undergraduate candidates, 440 graduates
candidates, and 23 doctoral candidates.
Clarence
Benjamin Jones Sr., the author of “What Would Martin Say?” and “Behind the
Dream: The Making of the Speech that Transformed a Nation,” will speak at the
College of Arts and Sciences ceremony at 12:30 p.m. and accept an honorary
doctor of humane letters degree as part of the proceedings. Jones is a former
speechwriter, attorney, and advisor to the late Martin Luther King Jr. He was
the first African American partner in a Wall Street investment bank in the
1970s. Jones was awarded a White House Letter of Commendation by President Bill
Clinton for his 1963 civil rights work in Birmingham, Alabama.
Rachel
Naomi Remen, MD, will receive an honorary doctoral degree and speak during the
combined School of Education and School of Nursing and Health Professions
ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Dr. Remen is the founding director of Commonweal’s
Institute for the Study of Health and Illness, a nonprofit that promotes
innovation in health care, and provides support and education to health care
professionals.
Dominic
A. Tarantino ’54 will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree and
speak during commencement exercises for the School of Management at 6:30 this
evening. Tarantino served on the USF Board of Trustees for 18 years and was
chairman of the board from 1999 to 2003. He played a central role in recruiting
USF President Stephen A. Privett, S.J., to the university. Tarantino was also
an early advocate for extending USF’s of health benefits to legally domiciled
adults.
“The
University is careful about whom it chooses to honor at commencement,” said USF
President Stephen A. Privett, S.J. “The honorees for this commencement represent
a careful blend and balance of integrity, compassion, and professional success
in very different fields. Each has had the kind of positive effect on society
that we want to hold-up for emulation by our students.”
The
three commencement ceremonies will be held at St. Ignatius Church (650 Parker
Avenue at Fulton) on the USF campus.
About the University of
San Francisco
The University of San Francisco is in the heart of one of the most
innovative and diverse cities and features a vibrant community of students and
faculty who achieve excellence in their fields while building a more humane and
just world. University of San Francisco students, faculty, and alumni are
involved in the entrepreneurial city of San Francisco and work in all
industries, from technology to the nonprofit sector. With dedicated professors and exceptional
academic programs to choose from, the university offers undergraduate,
graduate, and professional students the knowledge and skills needed to develop
into ethical leaders who are sought after in their professions. USF’s diverse
student body benefits from direct access to faculty, small class sizes, and a
broad array of programs and co-curricular opportunities. Informed by the
university’s 156-year-old Jesuit Catholic mission, the USF community ignites
students’ passion for social justice and the pursuit of the common good. For
more information about the University of San Francisco, please visit www.usfca.edu.
