Ford CEO and president Alan Mulally will be the featured speaker at Kansas University’s commencement this year, breaking a long trend of having chancellors deliver the KU address to graduates.
Though Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little will still address KU’s graduates during the ceremony in a “farewell to the Class of 2012,” Mulally will be the featured speaker.
“KU has educated countless individuals who have gone on to become world-renowned leaders. As they walk down the Hill and into the world, it’s fitting for graduates to hear from one of those leaders, Alan Mulally, who after earning two KU degrees has gone on to do great things,” Gray-Little said in a written statement.
Mulally earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 1968 and a master’s degree in 1969 from KU. He has been CEO and president of Ford since 2006, before which he was executive vice president of The Boeing Co. and president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Mulally is one of four honorary degree recipients who will be recognized during the commencement ceremony. The others are former Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation chair Sheila Bair, former Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole and composer Kirke L. Mechem.
Susan Kemper is a distinguished professor of psychology who served as the chair of the committee that vetted nominations for honorary degree recipients. She said she was pleased with Mulally’s selection to speak.
“It was the chancellor’s choice, but how could she have gone wrong?” Kemper said.
KU is accepting nominations for its next set of honorary degree recipients, and a link is available on the chancellor’s website.
KU’s 140th commencement ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 13.
Comments
James Minor 2 years, 2 months ago
Here is a preview of the commencement address: Mullaly: Future graduates at only 2.9% intrest you can also experience the American dream. Think about our line of new Ford products ranging from the economy to the truck class. We have two dealerships in Lawrence that can suit all the needs of every one experiencing the great KU tradition. I expect to see everyone in the next 72 months to own a Ford with a Jayhawk license plate on the front. Under the seat of one lucky attendee Ford has decided to award a brand new Pinto fully loaded with an eight track player. Thank you and Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
sassykansan 2 years, 2 months ago
Chancellor Hemenway gave our class' commencement address. I want a do-over.
toe 2 years, 2 months ago
It is good to have such a distinguished alum give the address.
Keith Richards 2 years, 2 months ago
People have no problem buying Apple products which are made almost entirely overseas in factories with deplorable conditions.
labmonkey 2 years, 2 months ago
Really... is it more American to buy a Ford Fusion built in Mexico, or a Toyota Camry built in USA with 80% of the materials made in USA?
labmonkey 2 years, 2 months ago
Perhaps he will teach the graduates on how to ship jobs out of the country by investing hundreds of millions in third world countries. Not very many Fords made in USA, and only one or two models that actually count as a domestic vehicle (built in USA and 75% of materials made in USA). General Motors isn't much better.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.