Brown to Speak at Fall Commencement

The registrar's office reports that 981 students have applied for degrees to be conferred in Johnson Coliseum.

The Colleges of Criminal Justice and Education and Applied Science are slated to confer degrees at the 10 a.m. ceremony, followed by the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Business Administration at the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Prior to his election as mayor, Brown served in President Bill Clinton's Cabinet as director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy from 1993 to 1996.

Brown has an undergraduate degree in criminology from Fresno State University, master's degree in sociology from San Jose State University and holds both a master's degree and a doctorate in criminology from the University of California at Berkeley.

He also holds honorary doctorates from Florida International University, Portland State University, State University of New York, Fresno State University, John Jay College of Criminology, Paul Quinn College and Howard University.

His many awards and honors include: Library Journal's Politician of the Year Award; Ebony Magazine's Most Influential African American; the International Leadership Awards from B'nai B'rith; the Peace and Justice Award from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Change; the Quasar Award from the Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation; and Father of the Year from the National Father's Day Committee.

Brown has four children and 10 grandchildren from his marriage to his late wife, Yvonne. He is married to Frances Young, a teacher in the Houston Independent School District.

According to the registrar's office, 90 students will graduate with honors during the ceremony.

James Gaertner, president of Sam Houston State University, will introduce Brown as the commencement speaker.

Robert Dunning, SHSU registrar, advises that all degree candidates confirm their graduation status no later than 4 p.m. Friday by either checking online, coming by the registrar's office in the Administration Building, or by calling 936.294.1032 between 9 a.m. and noon.

Candidates are advised to report to the Health/Kinesiology Center one hour before their ceremony is scheduled to begin, or in the event of inclement weather, report to the coliseum floor for seating.

"In the event the Johnson Coliseum reaches capacity, commencement guests will be directed to an overflow facility, the James Olson Auditorium in Academic Building 4, corner of Avenue I and Bowers Boulevard," said Dunning.

He also suggests that commencement ceremony guests with disabilities who may require special seating or assistance during the ceremony should arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the ceremony and enter through the east tunnel.

Two parking lots, one located east of the coliseum at the intersection of Marks Drive and Bowers Blvd. and the other located in the Teacher Education Center parking lot, are reserved for guests with impairment. For more information related to commencement guests with disabilities, call 936.294.1061.

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SHSU Media Contact: Brandon Autrey
Dec. 2, 2002
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