Commencement speakers nominated by faculty, staff, alumni, trustees

Cold weather brings changes to Ball State
Cold weather brings changes to Ball State

Speakers in past years:

2015: John Schnatter, founder and CEO of Papa Johns, Ball State graduate

2014: Luke Messer, Indiana 6th district congressman

2013: Jeffrey D. Feltman, undersecretary general for political affairs at the United Nations, Ball State graduate

2012: Sutton Foster, two-time Tony award winning actress

2011: Steve Kroft, correspondent for 60 minutes

2010: Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry, Ball State graduate

2009: Richard Lugar, former Indiana senator

The speaker also receives an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Greg Wright, executive writer and media relations manager, said in an email that faculty, staff, trustees and alumni suggest people each year as possible candidates to speak at commencement.

Those candidate names then go to the president and his cabinet, who consider the nominations.

Those nominations are then sent to the Graduate Education Committee to get an official nomination, and then to the Board of Trustee, who gives the final approval on the selection. The actual selection is made by the president and his cabinet.

"John has demonstrated the abilities we encourage in our students," said Ball State President Paul W. Ferguson in a press release. "His story of hard work, perseverance and the willingness to take risks will be compelling and inspirational to each one in our audience. We are proud of his accomplishments and are so pleased to honor him at commencement.”

Wright said in an email Schnatter has been under consideration for an honorary degree for several years now.

Comments

More from The Daily






This Week's Digital Issue


Loading Recent Classifieds...