Sociologist and visionary Saskia Sassen, senior presidential advisor David Axelrod, entrepreneur and philanthropist Sue Gin, legendary jazz saxophonist Phil Woods and former Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Michael Moskow will be among the distinguished honorary degree recipients and speakers at DePaul University’s 111th commencement ceremonies June 13 and 14.

Below is a listing of the locations, dates, times and brief profiles of the honorees at each of DePaul’s commencement ceremonies.  The June 13 ceremonies will take place at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, and the June 14 ceremonies will be held at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road., Rosemont, Ill.

School of Education, June 13, 8:30 a.m.

Speaker: James Crawford is founder and president of the Maryland-based Institute for Language and Education Policy and is among the nation’s foremost proponents of multilingual education and language rights.

School of Music and The Theatre School, June 13, 11:45 a.m.

Speaker: Legendary alto saxophonist Phil Woods has been one of the leading jazz artists of the past half-century, dating back to his 1950s collaborations with Charlie Parker.  He is perhaps most widely known to mass audiences as a sideman to numerous pop and rock artists including Paul Simon and Steely Dan and was featured on Billy Joel’s “I Love You Just the Way You Are.”

School for New Learning (SNL), June 13, 2:30 p.m.

Speaker: Frequently ranked as one of the nation’s leading African-American business leaders, Bertram Scott is executive vice president and chief institutional development and sales officer for investment giant TIAA-CREF.  An SNL graduate, Scott is a strong proponent and supporter of adult education.

Also being honored is Bro. Anusak Nidhibhadrabhorn, director of St. Gabriel’s College in Bangkok, Thailand, one of that nation’s leading educational institutions.  He is a leading voice for inter-religious dialogue and respect in the largely Buddhist nation.

College of Communication and College of Computing and Digital Media, June 14, 8:00 a.m.

Speaker: As senior advisor to President Barack Obama, David Axelrod is among the closest aides to the president and a frequent spokesman for administration initiatives.  He previously spent more than 30 years based in Chicago as a highly successful political reporter and campaign strategist.

College of Commerce, June 14, Noon

Speaker: Michael Moskow served for 13 years as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and is currently vice chairman of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.  A distinguished economist and academic, Moskow has written incisively on a broad range of topics ranging from the impact of collective bargaining to women in the work force.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, June 14, 4 p.m.

Speaker: Sociologist Saskia Sassen is one of the world’s most distinguished thought leaders on how technology, economics and demographics are reshaping the planet.  The author of nine books, her concept of “The Global City” overturned conventional thinking about the role of nations in the emerging world order.

Also being honored is legendary Chicago businesswoman Sue Gin, who is best known to the public for the company she founded - Flying Food Group.  But she is also one of Chicago’s most active philanthropists and led the drive to build two state-of-the-art science buildings at DePaul as a university trustee.

The Academic Affairs Commencement 2009 Web page contains schedule information for graduates and guests and access to ceremony Webcasts.
 

Editors' Note: Media interested in covering any of DePaul’s commencement ceremonies should contact John Holden, director of media relations, at 312-362-7165 or jholden2@depaul.edu.