University Announces Commencement Speakers
SFU has announced the keynote speakers for the University’s 170th commencement ceremonies.
Graduation festivities will be held over two days, with four different ceremonies to celebrate both the Classes of 2020 and 2021.
On Saturday, May 8, at 9 a.m., the School of STEAM and Francis Worldwide will conduct their graduation ceremonies. Brother Norman Hipps, O.S.B., will serve as the speaker at this event.
The president of Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Hipps will step down from this role in June after serving as the school’s president for nine years.
“The University honors Brother Norman for his commitment to Catholic higher education,” said SFU President Father Malachi Van Tassell.
The Shields School of Business Undergraduate and Graduate ceremonies will follow the School of STEAM and Francis Worldwide Graduation on May 8 at 1 p.m.
Col. Joseph Dougherty, M.D., from the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., will speak at the SSOB graduation.
Dougherty has also served as the Director of the Camp Humphreys Behavioral Health Clinic in Pyeongtak, South Korea. Prior to that, he served as Chief of Behavioral Health in the Bavaria Medical Department in Vilseck, Germany.
“Dr. Dougherty is a psychiatrist at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda,” said Father Malachi.
“He has done extensive work in the area of child psychiatry, specifically working with children of military personnel affected by post-traumatic stress.”
On Sunday, May 9, the University will celebrate the School of Health Sciences and Education Undergraduate ceremony at 9 a.m., followed by the school’s Graduate Program ceremony at 1 p.m.
Both sets of these grads will hear from Scott Lammie, a retired Senior Vice President at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
“Scott spent his career working to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare to all people,” said Father Malachi. “He played a key role in developing the University’s partnership initiatives with UPMC.”
Lammie began working at UPMC in September of 1990 and held leadership positions within the financial and operational divisions of the company.
