Washington Post publisher to deliver commencement address
Ryan
Washington Post Publisher and CEO Frederick J. Ryan Jr. will deliver Wake Forest’s commencement address on May 20.
Formerly president and CEO of Politico, Ryan is widely regarded as a major innovator in digital communications and an outspoken free press advocate. Earlier in his career, he held senior level positions in the White House.
“In the aftermath of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, he has repeatedly challenged world leaders to recognize that threats against journalists are threats against freedom,” said Wake Forest President Nathan O. Hatch. “We are honored to have him deliver our commencement address.”
Haugen
Gary Haugen, CEO and founder of International Justice Mission (IJM), will be the baccalaureate speaker on May 19. IJM is a global organization that protects the poor from violence throughout the developing world.
Haugen has been recognized by the U.S. State Department as a Trafficking in Persons “Hero”—the highest honor given by the U.S. government for anti-slavery leadership. He is the author of several books, including “Good News about Injustice” and “The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence.”
Ryan and Haugen will receive honorary degrees at commencement.
Others to receive honorary degrees include Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden; Jeffrey A. Davis, executive vice President and chief financial officer of Qurate Retail Group; Sandy Ouellette, president of R and S Ouellette Inc.; and Philip A. Pizzo, former dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine. In addition, an honorary degree will be awarded posthumously to Julius L. Chambers, former chancellor of N.C. Central University and former director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
