Two proven leaders will offer words of encouragement and advice at Quinnipiac University's Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 20.
Ambassador Nancy Brinker, founder and CEO of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, and Stephen Schwarzman, chairman, CEO and co-founder of the financial services firm Blackstone, will address the University's approximately 1,400 graduating students and their families on the academic quad of the Mount Carmel Campus.
Schwarzman, who began his career at Lehman Brothers and has more recently been involved in all phases of Blackstone's development since its founding in 1985, will address graduating students from the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Business at 10 a.m.
Brinker, who has served as a U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Hungary and most recently served as U.S. chief of protocol, will address graduating students from the schools of communications, health sciences and nursing at 3 p.m.
"I think they are excellent, well-known individuals in their respective fields and will be able to deliver a worthwhile and applicable message to our graduates and to the university community," said Karla Natale, director of special events.
"I think it's going to be great," said Emily Sarnoff, senior class president. "The things these two individuals have accomplished are incredible. They have life experience, they're not just names. Students will be able to take something from their words."
The speakers' accomplishments are not major-specific, said Dan Scott, senior class vice president."We're very excited. I think there will be life experience that will be accessible to all students," he said. "Having two ceremonies allows students to have more input. I'm really glad my class is the first year to do this."
"It's more about the individuals than what they have done," Sarnoff said.
Receptions will follow each ceremony. If severe weather prevents outdoor ceremonies, Commencement will be held in the TD Bank Sports Center on the York Hill Campus. In that case, each graduate will be allotted four tickets to distribute to friends and family. Tickets will give those individuals access to the basketball arena. Guests without tickets will be directed to the High Point Solutions Arena at the sports center, where they will be able to view the ceremony on large screens.