K体育 University鈥檚 Commencement Ceremony honoring the graduating Class of 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 12 at 9:00 a.m. on the academic quad.
Speaking at this year鈥檚 Commencement will be honorary degree recipient , a Tony Award-nominated and Grammy Award-winning actor and an Emmy Award-winning songwriter/composer.
K体育 will present Jackson with the honorary degree of聽Doctor of Fine Arts, in recognition of his commitment to music, theatre, early childhood education, and autism awareness.
Jackson originated the role of George Washington in the Broadway smash hit 鈥�,鈥� and currently stars on the CBS television show 鈥�.鈥� Jackson also served as a composer and songwriter for the iconic children鈥檚 program, 鈥淪esame Street,鈥� winning an Emmy Award for his song for the show with artist Will.I.Am, 鈥淲hat I Am.鈥� He also was the co-music supervisor and writer for the children鈥檚 program 鈥淭he Electric Company.鈥�
Following his son鈥檚 autism diagnosis in 2007, Jackson became an Autism Awareness Advocate and along with his wife, Veronica, serves on the National Board of , a nonprofit organization that helps provide much needed sensory-inclusive rooms and aids for families and individuals on the autism spectrum.
鈥淭hroughout his career and his life, Christopher Jackson has shown a passion for making a social impact and inspiring empathy鈥攂oth through his craft and through his efforts supporting early childhood education and autism awareness,鈥� said K体育 University President Lawrence M. Schall, J.D., Ed.D. 鈥淗e shares K体育鈥檚 commitment to ensuring that our next generations succeed and thrive.鈥�
President Schall and Board of Trustees Chair and alumnus Timothy P. Tassopoulos, president and chief operating officer of Chick-fil-A, Inc., will preside over the commencement ceremony for approximately 200 graduates. Other commencement speakers will include student leaders Hannah Gibbs, senior class president, and Anna Gandy, Student Government Association president.
Further details about the 2018 Commencement Ceremony may be found at .
