United States Representative and class of 1978 alumna Robin Kelly will give the Mid-Year Commencement ceremony speech Dec. 20.
In addition to speaking, Kelly will be awarded the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters award at a reception Dec. 19.
“The Honorable Robin Kelly was selected as the commencement speaker because of her tremendous track record of public service,” Vice President of Student Affairs Nathan Thomas said. “Kelly has been long dedicated to the University and currently serves on our Board of Trustees. She is someone who others admire and respect.”
Prior to her 2013 appointment as the Illinois Second Congressional District Representative, Kelly served as the chief administrative officer of Cook County, where it was her responsibility to keep up with everyday actions and putting forth new policies.
Kelly has worked in public service for 25 years, serving as the Director of Crisis Nursery at Crittenton Care and Counseling Center from 1984 to 1987.
She held a position at Bradley as the Minority Student Services Director where she worked with culturally diverse students and helped them settle in.
Kelly went on to become the first African-American woman to serve as the Chief-of-Staff of the Illinois State Treasurer Office. She helped change the office, which handled $17 billion in state funds, into a more modern and progressive post.
“I think Representative Kelly is someone that graduates can look at and see themselves in her experiences, opportunities and successes,” Thomas said. “She is a model for what we talk about when we talk about the ‘Bradley Experience’ and how Bradley can play a significant role in who and what one becomes.”
Thomas isn’t the only one who thinks Kelly was the right choice.
“I am sure that she was chosen because she has a message that will align with Bradley’s ideals,” senior education major and December graduate Brett Bandy said. “I can only assume that she will use her success in politics to share words of advice with our graduating class.”
The December 2014 graduation procession will begin at 9:15 a.m. and conclude at 12 p.m. in Renaissance Coliseum Dec. 20.
