Across the country at Purdue University, UH President Renu Khator will receive an honorary doctoral degree at 8 p.m., May 15 at the institution’s West Lafayette campus. Khator is one of 10 honorees being recognized by Purdue University.
UH students will hear from distinguished speakers who will deliver this year’s commencement addresses. The speakers, including retired Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Phillips, represent a range of fields such as law enforcement, hospitality and information technology.
Phillips, who served as chief justice from1988 to 2004, will speak at the Law Center’s commencement ceremony, which begins at 2 p.m., May 15 at Hofheinz Pavilion. Phillips joined the Austin office of Baker Botts in September 2005, after nearly a quarter-century of judicial service. After graduating from Harvard University’s law school, Phillips clerked for then Texas Supreme Court Justice Judge Ruel C. Walker and practiced law in the trial department of the Houston office of Baker Botts. He also served as judge of the 280th District Court in Harris County.
Alumnus Roger Berry, chief information officer (CIO) for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, will deliver the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) commencement address at 6 p.m., May 16 in Hofheinz Pavilion. Berry, who graduated from UH in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, oversees information technology for the vast theme park division of the Walt Disney Co. that includes Disneyland in California, Walt Disney World in Florida and resorts in Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong. The division also includes Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and the Adventures by Disney travel business.
In 2002, Berry was selected one of the top 100 CIOs in the country by CIO magazine and the following year was appointed to Florida’s technology board by then-Gov. Jeb Bush.
Students graduating from the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) will hear from Steve Rushmore, president and founder of HVS, a global hospitality consulting organization with more than 25 offices throughout the world. HRM’s commencement takes place at 10 a.m., May 15 at Cullen Performance Hall.
Rushmore, who directs the worldwide operation of HVS, has provided consultation services for more than 12,000 hotels throughout the world during his 40-year career.
Newly elected Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia will deliver the Graduate College of Social Work commencement address at 1 p.m., May 16 at Cullen Performance Hall. Prior to joining the sheriff’s office, Garcia served on the Houston City Council for six years and as a police officer for 23 years.
On May 16, UH’s Air Force ROTC program will commission eight cadets at 6 p.m. at the M.D. Anderson Library, Rockwell Pavilion. Robert Ivany, president of University of St. Thomas, will preside over the ceremony and will talk about leadership and the future of the United States’ military. The cadets will be sworn in as second lieutenants.