William Nordhaus, Ph.D., the Sterling Professor of Economics at Yale University who received a Nobel Prize for his pioneering work in integrating climate change into long-run macroeconomic analysis, was one of the distinguished honorees during Niagara University’s commencement ceremonies May 16-18. Dr. Nordhaus, a member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers and the National Academy of Sciences, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the ceremony.
Dorothy Gallagher, president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, also received an honorary doctorate during the weekend. As the top official for the region’s employer-funded economic development organization and regional chamber of commerce, Gallagher leads all aspects of the partnership’s mission to increase private investment and build jobs in the Buffalo-Niagara region.
Other commencement honorees included Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes, who has built an impressive philanthropic record over the past decade assisting women athletes gain access to sports at both amateur and professional levels, teaching underprivileged children about the ways sports can improve community life, and raising funds for breast cancer research; four-star Gen. Walter Kross, a member of Niagara University’s Class of 1964, who was a leader in forging air mobility doctrine and developing and implementing the processes that ensure the operational readiness of American forces for deployment during his 34-year career in the US Air Force; Darren Brown-Hall, Ed.D., chief of staff and district clerk at Buffalo Public Schools; and Eileen Whalen, a member of Niagara University’s Class of 1977 and a nationally recognized trauma systems expert who currently serves as president and CEO of The University of Vermont Medical Center.
In addition, John Stranges, Ph.D., university professor, was honored for 50 years of service to Niagara University.
Dr. Michael Salvatori, chief executive officer and registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers, received the Niagara University Founder's Award during the Niagara University College of Education’s 12th commencement in Ontario
In all, Niagara University graduated 1,222 new alumni during its four commencement exercises held on both sides of the border.