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PRESS RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — April 16, 2019 — At its 2019 commencement ceremonies, ´óÏó´«Ã½ will confer honorary doctorate degrees to seven individuals in recognition of their distinguished careers and positive influence on their industries and communities. With four campuses across the U.S., ceremonies will be held in Providence, R.I., North Miami, Fla., Denver, Colo., and Charlotte, N.C. A total of 3,034 students nationwide will be awarded undergraduate and graduate degrees.

PROVIDENCE CAMPUS COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES

• Cynthia R. Bigelow, president and chief executive officer, Bigelow Tea, will deliver the keynote address at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Providence Campus Graduate Studies Commencement Ceremony and receive an honorary Doctor of Business Administration on Friday, May 3, at the Dunkin' Donuts Center at 11 a.m.
• Nigel Travis, chairman, Dunkin' Brands Inc., and chairman, Leyton Orient Football Club, will deliver the keynote address at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Providence Campus Undergraduate Morning Commencement Ceremony and receive an honorary Doctor of Business Administration on Saturday, May 18, at the Dunkin' Donuts Center at 8:45 a.m.
• Mehmet Gürs '93, chef-partner, Istanbul Food & Beverage Group, will deliver the keynote address at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Providence Campus Undergraduate Afternoon Commencement Ceremony and receive an honorary Doctor of Culinary Arts on Saturday, May 18, at the Dunkin' Donuts Center at 1:45 p.m. In addition, Derek Wagner '99, chef-owner, Nicks on Broadway, will receive an honorary Doctor of Culinary Arts.

NORTH MIAMI CAMPUS COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

• Dave Wilkinson, president and chief executive officer, Atlanta Police Foundation, will deliver the keynote address at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ North Miami Campus Commencement Ceremony and receive an honorary Doctor of Business Administration on Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.

DENVER CAMPUS COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

• Sean McNicholas, president, Service Systems Associates, will deliver the keynote address at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Denver Campus Commencement Ceremony and receive an honorary Doctor of Business Administration on Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

CHARLOTTE CAMPUS COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

• Gary Ward Guittard, president, Guittard Chocolate Company, will deliver the keynote address at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Charlotte Campus Commencement Ceremony and receive an honorary Doctor of Business Administration on Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. at The Spectrum Center.

Degrees by Numbers

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Founded in 1914, ´óÏó´«Ã½ is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with approximately 13,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its four campuses in Providence, Rhode Island; North Miami, Florida; Denver, Colorado; and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers degree programs in arts and sciences, business, culinary arts, design and engineering, education, health and wellness, hospitality, nutrition and physician assistant studies. Its unique model integrates arts and sciences and industry-focused education with work experience and leadership opportunities, inspiring students to achieve professional success and lifelong personal and intellectual growth. The university’s impact is global, with alumni from 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide. For more information, visit jwu.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT Miriam Weinstein, director of communications & media relations, 401-598-1157. Follow

JPEG headshots of each honorary degree recipient available upon request.