Willimantic, Conn. – 1,174 undergraduates and 71 graduate students will be graduating at Eastern Connecticut State University’s 124th Commencement exercises at the XL Center in Hartford on Tuesday, May 13 at 6 p.m.
Nicholas Lawson, director of field human resources for Doctors Without Borders/“Médecins sans Frontières,” will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa during the Commencement Exercises, and will offer remarks following presentation of his honorary degree.
As Director of Field Human Resources for MSF since 2007, Lawson is responsible for the oversight of 35,000 staff across the globe, and leads the development and implementation of MSF’s vision as a member of the MSF Executive Management team. Over the years, he has traveled to and coordinated humanitarian and medical relief efforts in Uganda, Pakistan, Burundi, East Timor, South Sudan and Afghanistan.
Other speakers at the Commencement Exercises will include Eastern President Elsa Núñez; Catherine Smith, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, who will be representing the Board of Regents for Higher Education; Senior Class President Zachary Yeager; and Brittany Lane ’14, who will deliver the Senior Class Address.
From the Governor’s Foot Guard Color Guard in attendance, to the plaintive sound of the bagpipes of the St. Patrick’s Pipe Band and the pre-event music of the Thread City Brass Quintet, this year’s graduation ceremonies will again reflect the University’s Commencement tradition of dignity, grace and celebration.
NOTE TO NEWS MEDIA: Please call Edward Osborn, Director of University Relations at (860) 558-7285 (cell) for onsite media coordination at the XL Center.