Viola Davis, Rita Moreno, CVS CEO: Here's who's headlining RI college graduations in 2024
The most powerful businesswoman in America and two women of color who have each won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards for their work in the entertainment industry are among the speakers and honorary degree recipients at colleges and universities in Rhode Island at graduation ceremonies planned for this spring.
Legendary entertainers Viola Davis and Rita Moreno will be joined by business leaders and authors on the graduation stages of Rhode Island beginning next month.
Here's who came in 2023: When are college graduations and who is speaking?
Here's a brief look at who's coming:
New England Institute of Technology
Speaker: Rita Moreno
From her breakout role as Anita in the 1961 movie version of "West Side Story" to the 2023 film "80 for Brady" the 92-year-old actress has literally done it all, becoming the only Latina to win Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards for her work.
Honorary doctorate: Kevin Graney
President of General Dynamics Electric Boat, overseeing a once-in-a-generation expansion of the Rhode Island and Connecticut company that builds nuclear submarines for the Navy.
New England Tech's commencement is May 5.
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Rhode Island College
RIC's speaker and honorary degree recipient information was not immediately available.
RIC's undergraduate commencement is May 11. The graduation ceremony is May 9.
Roger Williams University
The speaker and honorary degree recipient information for Roger Williams was not immediately available.
The Roger Williams commencement is May 17.
University of Rhode Island
Honorary doctorate: Viola Davis
A graduate of Central Falls High School, Rhode Island College and the Juilliard School, she has won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards for her work, and is a New York Times bestselling author.
URI's commencement includes eight ceremonies over three days, May 17 to May 19. Honorary degrees will be May 18.
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Bryant University
Undergraduate speaker: Karen S. Lynch
President and CEO of CVS Health, has been honored as the most powerful businesswoman in America for leading the largest U.S. corporation run by a woman.
Graduate speaker: Edmund (“Ted”) Shallcross III
President and CEO of Amica Mutual Insurance Company.
Bryant's undergraduate commencement is May 18. The graduate ceremony is May 16.
Salve Regina University
Speaker: Susan Eisenhower
Author, scholar and policy analyst, wrote the book "How Ike Led: The Principles Behind Eisenhower’s Biggest Decisions," about her grandfather President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Salve's commencement is May 19.
Providence College
Commencement speaker: Arthur Brooks
A Harvard professor who is known for writing the column in The Atlantic "How to Build a Life" and 13 books, including "Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier," which he wrote in collaboration with Oprah Winfrey.
PC's commencement is May 19.
Johnson & Wales University
Undergraduate speaker: Dorothea Bongiovi
Creator and program manager of the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a pay-it-forward community restaurant that serves in-need and paying customers.
Graduate speaker: Dale Venturini
Recently stepped down as longtime president and CEO of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association and Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation.
JWU's commencement is May 4.
Brown University
As of April 19, Brown had not announced speakers or honorary degree recipients.
Brown's commencement is May 24 to 26.
Rhode Island School of Design
As of April 19, RISD had not announced speakers or honorary degree recipients.
RISD's commencement is June 1.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Viola Davis, Rita Moreno and more: Who's speaking at RI graduations
