Media Room

University of the Rockies has announced the speakers for its commencement ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 24. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Craig Swenson, and Patricia Ann Williams will continue the University of the Rockies tradition of inviting a current graduate to address the graduating class.

Dr. Craig Swenson served as interim president for University of the Rockies earlier this year. Previously, he was chancellor emeritus and a professor of higher education administration at Argosy University. Before his tenure at Argosy University, Dr. Swenson was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Western Governors University. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and is a frequent speaker and author on higher education subjects. Dr. Swenson holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of Utah, a master’s degree in organizational communication from Brigham Young University, and a PhD in education, with an emphasis in adult and organizational learning, from Walden University.

In addition to addressing her colleagues as the ceremony’s graduate speaker, Patricia Ann Williams will receive her doctor of psychology degree during the University of the Rockies commencement. Born in New Orleans and raised in Los Angeles, Williams is the mother of five children, grandmother of ten, and great-grandmother of six. A lifelong learner, Williams earned her associates degree from Compton Community College, and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and was recently inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society.

University of the Rockies president Dr. Dawn Iwamoto will also offer welcoming remarks during the graduation and University of the Rockies provost Dr. Amy Kahn will deliver closing remarks.

The commencement ceremony will take place at 2:00 p.m. MDT on Saturday, Oct. 24, in the Mile High Ballroom at the Colorado Convention Center, located at 700 14th Street in Denver. Graduates and guests who are unable to attend the ceremony in person will be able to experience the event via a live online feed at http://www.rockies.edu/resources/graduation.htm.

About University of the Rockies

University of the Rockies is a leading graduate school of the social and behavioral sciences that offers programs for students seeking their PhD, PsyD, or Master of Arts degree. Students may take classes at a state-of-the-art instructional site in downtown Denver, Colo., or work toward degrees online from anywhere in the country. Whether face-to-face or online, University of the Rockies students enjoy the same access to industry professionals, research, and publishing opportunities. For more information, please visit www.rockies.edu/, www.facebook.com/UniversityoftheRockies, www.twitter.com/URockies, or call Shari Winet, Vice President of Public Relations, at 866.621.0124 x11601.