SNHU Announces 2019 Commencement Speakers
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) will celebrate its 87th Commencement on the weekend of May 11-12, 2019. Over the course of the weekend, the University will host four ceremonies at the SNHU Arena welcoming over 7,000 graduates from across the country. SNHU will confer more than 21,000 degrees in 2019.
Commencement speakers and ceremony details include:
Saturday, May 11
9:30 a.m. | Campus students
Jarrett J. Krosoczka, a New York Times best-selling children’s author and illustrator, and a two-time winner of the Children’s Choice Book Award for the Third to Fourth Grade Book of the Year. First published at the age of twenty-three, Krosoczka has more than forty published books to his credit, including his graphic memoir Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award finalist in 2018. The memoir traces Krosoczka’s search for his father, his difficult interactions with his mother, his day-to-day life with his grandparents, and his path to becoming an artist.
2:30 p.m. | Online students
9th Command Sergeant Major Michele S. Jones, of the United States Army, retired, the first woman in the United States Army Reserve to reach the position of command sergeant major. Jones served for 25 years, and prior to her retirement, she held the highest Noncommissioned Officer position of any woman in the Army. She is currently serving as the Vice President of Training with Civility Management Solutions, LLC, and was previously appointed under the Obama Administration as a member of the Senior Executive Service.
Sunday, May 12
9:30 a.m. | Online students
Senator Cory Booker, a U.S. Senator from New Jersey and Democratic candidate for president. Booker is running for president to reignite our spirit of common purpose to build a more fair and just nation for everyone. In 1996, Cory moved to Newark, New Jersey, and founded a nonprofit organization to provide legal services for low-income families, helping tenants take on slumlords, improve their living conditions, and stay in their homes. At age twenty-nine, Cory was elected to the Newark City Council, and beginning in 2006, he served as Newark’s mayor for more than seven years. Cory is the first African-American elected to the US Senate from New Jersey. In the Senate, Cory has championed policies that advance economic and equal justice -- including leading efforts to reform the broken criminal justice system, increase wages and ensure hard work is fairly rewarded, and protect the rights of all Americans to breathe clean air and drink clean water.
2:30 p.m. | Online students
Mayor Randall L. Woodfin, an American politician currently serving as the 30th mayor of Birmingham, Alabama. A native of Birmingham and graduate of Cumberland School of Law, Mayor Woodfin is an attorney and former president of the Birmingham Board of Education. Throughout his career, he has worked in various positions for the City of Birmingham and is currently working to bring improvements to economic development, neighborhood revitalization, education/career opportunities for students, and crime.
Past Press Releases
SNHU Named the Most Innovative Regional University, a Top College for Adult Learners
SNHU has been named to Washington Monthly and U.S. News & World Report’s rankings every year since their inception
Lauren Keane
Sep 9, 2019
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has recently been recognized as a top university by two national publications. U.S. News & World Report announced today that SNHU has been named the most innovative university in the north for the fifth consecutive year. In late August, SNHU was also recognized as a top institution for adult learners by Washington Monthly.
"It’s an honor to once again be recognized as one of higher education’s most innovative universities and one of the best universities for adult learners,” said Paul LeBlanc, University President, SNHU. "We think these honors go hand in hand as we find new ways to help students reach their full potential.”
SNHU, a repeat top fifty school, jumped two spots this year on Washington Monthly's list of 4-year colleges, ranking 12th, and is one of three institutions from New Hampshire to earn this distinction. The University also topped the U.S. News & World Report's "Most Innovative Schools in the North" category for the fifth year in a row, and is the only institution from the Granite State on the list. SNHU has been named to both rankings every year since their inception.
Unlike most of U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges" rankings, the "Most Innovative Schools" category solely relies on a peer assessment survey to compile the results. Participants - college presidents, provosts and admission deans - were asked to nominate up to fifteen institutions "that are making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities."
Washington Monthly inaugurated the "Best Colleges for Adult Learners" rankings in 2016 to recognize the nation's colleges and universities that are meeting the needs of the fastest-growing demographic in higher education. The rankings are determined based on data from the Department of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the Department's College Scorecard database and the College Board's Annual Survey of Colleges. More than 2,100 two- and four-year institutions were recognized this year, and the following criteria was used to rate each school:
- Ease of transfer/enrollment;
- Flexibility of programs;
- Services for adult learners;
- Percentage of adult students (age 25+);
- Graduation rates of part-time students;
- Mean earnings after ten years;
- Loan repayment rates; and
- Tuition and fees
To learn more, please visit Washington Monthly's 2019 College Rankings and U.S. News & World Report's 2020 College Rankings.
Contact:
Lauren Keane
Office: 603.645.9789
SNHU Announces 2018 Commencement Speakers
Lauren Keane
Apr 13, 2018
Program will include 4 ceremonies over two days in Manchester, NH
Manchester, N.H. (April 13, 2018) - Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) will celebrate its 86th Commencement on the weekend of May 12-13, 2018. More than 22,000 family, friends and community members will join SNHU in celebrating nearly 6,000 graduates in four ceremonies at the SNHU Arena. The University will award more than 18,600 degrees worldwide this year.
Commencement speakers and ceremony details include:
Saturday, May 12
-
10 a.m. | Campus & SNHU Online students
Dan Shaughnessy, sports reporter and columnist for the Boston Globe. Author of several books including "The Curse of the Bambino" and "Reversing the Curse," and a regular contributor to ESPN. In 2016, he was awarded the J.G. Taylor Spink Award by the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Student speaker: Elle Tibbitts, Bachelor of Science in Economics & Finance, Bachelor of Science in Math
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2:30 p.m. | SNHU Online & College for America students
Azmat Khan, award-winning journalist and Fellow at New America Foundation. Her recent piece in the New York Times Magazine, The Uncounted, won the 2018 National Magazine Award. Her investigative reporting has taken her to Iraq, Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other conflict zones, and her work has won a number of awards including: the Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding Reporting on South Asia, the Deadline Club Award for Independent Digital Reporting, and other honors.
Student speaker: Moira Collins, Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing
Sunday, May 13
-
10 a.m. | SNHU Online students
Mayor Eric Garcetti, an American politician currently serving as the 42nd Mayor of Los Angeles. Prior to becoming Mayor, Garcetti served as President of the Los Angeles City Council and represented the 13th district of Los Angeles. He studied as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford and the London School of Economics and taught at Occidental College and USC. He also served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 2005 to 2018.
Student speaker: April Cutler, Bachelor of Science in Accounting
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2:30 p.m. | SNHU Online students
Dr. Vince Patton, retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard. Patton served our country for more than 30 years and was the first African American to be selected as Master Chief Petty Officer. Patton earned a Doctorate of Education from American University while on active duty. His military awards include the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, three Coast Guard Achievement Medals and numerous others.
Student speaker: Sierra Ingram, Master of Science in Accounting
About Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit institution with an 85-year history of educating traditional-age students and working adults. Now serving more than 100,000 students worldwide, SNHU offers more than 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as the "Most Innovative" regional university by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each student. Learn more at www.snhu.edu.
Contact:
Lauren Keane
Southern New Hampshire University
Office: 603.645.9789 | Cell: 203.695.2264
l.keane@snhu.edu
SNHU Graduates Celebrate Commencement with Speaker Bob Ryan
Steve Boucher
May 11, 2013
Manchester, N.H.- Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) celebrated its 81st commencement Saturday, May 11 at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan, often referred to as the "quintessential American sportswriter" and a "basketball guru," was the speaker; he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws. Co-founder and co-director of The Big Picture Company, The Met School and College Unbound Dennis Littky received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Approximately 1,485 graduates and 5,000 people attended. In 2012-2013, 1,477 undergraduate students and 1,344 graduate students earned their campus and online college degrees.
SNHU President Paul LeBlanc discussed the value of a college education, calling it "an important signal to the world." He said, "It signals that you have done something hard, that you know things - important things - and you have sought after skills. It is your springboard into better work, a better career, and a better life."
Ryan, who has covered multiple championships in all four primary pro sports, 11 Olympic games and 29 Final Fours, urged graduates to "arrange to be in the right place at the right time" and to "try to be lucky."
"Believe me when I tell you that it is a horrible feeling to receive an opportunity for which you are unprepared, and it's your own fault," he said. "You didn't read what you should have read. You didn't go where you should have gone. And then the chance is gone. You don't want to be standing on the dock when the boat pulls out."
The university also presented its annual Excellence in Teaching Awards. The recipients were full-time Assistant Professor of Psychology Michael Hendery, adjunct math instructor Kathy Willis and College of Continuing Education Adjunct Instructor Mark Hobson.
About Southern New Hampshire University
The university has approximately 2,562 traditional, full-time undergraduate day students and a total annual enrollment in all divisions of 25,000. Programs are offered on campus, online and on location at our centers in New Hampshire and Maine. The university offers programs in business, community economic development, culinary arts, teacher education, hospitality management and liberal arts.
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About Southern New Hampshire University
SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.
Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs. Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.