The United States ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Beth Leonard, has been named keynote speaker at the 13th Commencement ceremony of the American University of Nigeria.
The annual graduation ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, May 21, at the AUN main campus, will be preceded by the traditional Honor Society Award Night on Thursday and the Graduation Award ceremony on Friday. Students who have distinguished themselves in academics, service and leadership will be recognized and honored.
The 13th Graduation ceremony will feature the award of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees to graduates who have met all the requirements for the award of the prestigious American University of Nigeria’s diplomas from the Schools of Information Technology and Computing, Law, Business and Entrepreneurship, and Arts and Sciences.
President of AUN, Dr. Margee Ensign, described the choice of Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard as Keynote Speaker as historic and significant.
“Ambassador Leonard’s visit to the American University of Nigeria is a reminder of the close ties and shared values between our two countries; countries committed to supporting education and democracy at a time when it is under threat in much of the world. We are honored to welcome her to our beautiful campus and look forward, as do our students, to her remarks on this important occasion.”
The AUN Governing Council and Senate have approved the conferment of a Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) on the keynote speaker.
The ambassador will be continuing a tradition of exchange and interaction between high-level officials of the U.S. Government and AUN. Throughout its history, high-ranking U.S. Government officials and public figures have often visited the University, interacting with and mentoring students.
Ambassador Leonard’s distinguished diplomatic service career will resonate with students and faculty at a historic moment when women have assumed significant leadership positions at the University.
The American University of Nigeria is committed to creating an enabling atmosphere for women to excel in learning, career, and leadership as reflected in membership in both the university’s Honor Society and in elected positions in the student government.
