NKU announces Spring Commencement activities May 13 & 14

University Marketing + Communications

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – More than 1,600 students will be honored at Northern Kentucky University’s Spring Commencement May 13 and 14.

“Celebrating our students’ academic success is one of my great privileges as President,” said NKU President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “On behalf of the entire University community, I congratulate our graduates and look forward to sharing this special day with them, their families, and their friends.”

Those in attendance will hear from a retired federal judge who spent two decades on the bench following a distinguished career as a federal prosecutor; as well as a NKU alumna who found post-graduate success in Hollywood and now returns to celebrate the retirement of her mother, who was the first chair of NKU’s Theatre Department.

Graduates will also hear from two of their peers: a single mother of three who overcame a great deal of personal adversity to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse; and a man whose journey led him to find a home and identity at NKU and become one of the University’s finest student leaders.

In order that every graduate from each of the University’s six colleges may cross the stage and be recognized, three Commencement ceremonies will be held:

• Friday, May 13, 6 p.m.: Chase College of Law
  Commencement speaker: The Hon. John Gleeson, retired U.S. District Judge from the Eastern District of New York and the nationally-acclaimed lead federal prosecutor in the 1992 trial of John Gotti, head of the Gambino crime syndicate.
  
  An honorary Doctor of Laws degree will be bestowed upon Judge Gleeson.

• Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m.: College of Education and Human Services, College of Health Professions, College of Informatics
  Commencement speaker: The Hon. John Gleeson, retired U.S. District Judge from the Eastern District of New York and the nationally-acclaimed lead federal prosecutor in the 1992 trial of John Gotti, head of the Gambino crime syndicate.
  
  Student speaker: Kadori Ngirabakunzi, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, College of Health Professions

• Saturday, May 14, 3 p.m.: College of Arts and Sciences, Haile/US Bank College of Business
  Commencement speaker: NKU alumna Regan Forman (’93), Vice President of Creative Strategy & Planning at Nickelodeon and daughter of Theatre Professor Sandra Forman, who retires this month after 25 years at NKU.
  
  Student speaker: Danny Ginn, Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, College of Arts and Sciences

All ceremonies will be held at BB&T Arena on NKU’s Highland Heights campus. No tickets are necessary, and doors will open one hour prior to each ceremony. Parking is free of charge, and complimentary shuttle service will be provided from Lots E and L.

Chase College of Law will also hold a pre-Commencement reception for graduates and their families at 4 p.m. Friday.

For those who are unable to attend Commencement, the ceremonies will be broadcast live online. Please visit commencement.nku.edu.