Dr. John Wilson To Deliver National Commencement Keynote

Cincinnati – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university headquartered in Cincinnati, today announced that Dr. John Silvanus Wilson Jr. will address UI&U graduates and guests at the upcoming national commencement ceremony on Saturday, October 16 at the Hall of Mirrors, Cincinnati Hilton Netherland Plaza in downtown Cincinnati.


“We are particularly honored that John will speak to our graduates,” said Dr. Roger H. Sublett, President of Union Institute & University. “He has an extensive background in higher education, and experience as both a scholar and a practitioner. He certainlyunderstands the challenges of higher education today, and I’m sure he will inspire our undergraduate, masters, and doctoral learners.”

Wilson was recently appointed by President Barack Obama to be executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In this role, Wilson works as liaison between the executive branch of the government and HBCUs. Said President Obama, in a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Education, “We're delighted to have someone with the breadth and quality of experience that Dr. Wilson brings to address the challenges our HBCUs face. His expertise and insight will be invaluable to the Department."

Wilson has been an associate professor of higher education at George Washington University (GWU) since 2006, when he took research leave as executive dean of GWU's Virginia campus, a post he held since 2002. Prior to his tenure at GWU, Wilson spent 16 years at MIT, where he served as director of foundation relations and assistant provost.

Wilson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College, a Master of Theological Studies degree from Harvard University, and both master's and doctoral degrees in educational administration, planning, and social policy, also from Harvard University. He is also the recipient of both W.K. Kellogg and Woodrow Wilson fellowships.

For more information about UI&U’s National Commencement or Dr. John Wilson, please contact Nicole Hamilton, public relations manager at 513-487-1194, or at nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu.