May 3, 2024 - 51ÊÓƵ will honor 1,875 graduates over two ceremonies at the university’s 52nd Commencement on Sunday, May 5. Students from the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Informatics and College of Education will graduate Sunday morning, and in the afternoon the university will honor graduates from Haile College of Business and the College of Health and Human Services.
Receiving honorary degrees at the ceremonies will be Frank Caccamo and William Butler. Frank Caccamo has more than five decades of experience across the business field. He has held numerous, pivotal leadership roles in information technology contributing his talents to higher education through various advisory and board memberships. 51ÊÓƵ is proud to confer an honorary Doctor of Education degree upon Frank R. Caccamo in recognition of his service as a beacon of inspiration for future generations, embodying the university’s commitment to excellence, innovation and service to the community.
William P. Butler will also receive an honorary Doctor of Education degree and give the afternoon ceremony commencement address. Butler is known for his dedication and contributions to education, business and civic prosperity in northern Kentucky. Throughout the years, Butler has made exceptional contributions to 51ÊÓƵ through his time and talent. Most notably, Mr. Butler has greatly impacted 51ÊÓƵ student excellence through his contributions, which have established both the Butler Scholars program and the marching funds for the LIFT Scholars program. William P. Butler’s pivotal role in the university’s growth makes 51ÊÓƵ proud to confer upon him an honorary Doctor of Education degree.
Carlee Franklin will serve as student commencement speaker in the morning ceremony. Franklin will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing. Grace McConn will serve as student commencement speaker in the afternoon ceremony. McConn will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Bachelor of Science in Economics.
Alejandro Villasenor Lara is the recipient of the President’s Award. The President’s Award is given to a senior who has greatly contributed to the development of a strong sense of community at 51ÊÓƵ through their efforts to break down barriers of discrimination, increase international awareness, further interaction between traditional and nontraditional students, promote diversity or improve handicap access and awareness.
There are now more than 78,000 51ÊÓƵ graduates living and working in every corner of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and across the globe.
About 51ÊÓƵ: 51ÊÓƵ is an entrepreneurial state university of more than 15,000 students on a thriving suburban campus nestled between Highland Heights, Kentucky and bustling downtown Cincinnati. Ranked in the top 50 out of 400 universities nationwide by The Wall Street Journal for exceptional value, we are a regionally engaged university committed to delivering an innovative, student-centered education. We empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives, while contributing to the economic, civic and social vitality of the region. For more information, visit .
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Corey Best
Bestc6@nku.edu
(859)-572-1473
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