National Commencement Weekend Begins October 14

Dr. Sylvia Manning, president of the Higher Learning Commission, to deliver commencement address; Union will confer degrees to the first graduates of the university’s Doctor of Education program

WALNUT HILLS – Students from Cincinnati and across the country will converge at Union Institute & University (UI&U) in Walnut Hills October 14 and 15 to take part in the university’s National Commencement Weekend. The university’s newest graduates have earned doctoral, masters, and bachelor’s degrees from the private, non-profit university that, since 1964, has provided higher education opportunities for adults. This year, Union will also confer degrees to the first graduates of the university’s new Doctorate of Education program.

“The National Commencement weekend is a momentous occasion for Union Institute & University,” said UI&U President Dr. Roger H. Sublett. “It is time when the entire Union community gathers to celebrate our students’ accomplishments and the culmination of our collective efforts as a national university working to make positive change in our communities, through progressive higher education.” Also as part of the commencement weekend, the university’s international alumni board will host the second Union ReUnion, welcoming some of the university’s first graduates back to their alma mater.

The events begin Friday, October 14, with the President’s Reception, held at the UI&U Cincinnati Academic Center in Walnut Hills. The reception is an opportunity for new graduates and their families to celebrate their accomplishment with President Sublett, trustees, faculty, alumni and fellow graduates. The UI&U National Commencement takes place at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 15, in the Hall of Mirrors at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza in downtown Cincinnati.

National commencement speaker Dr. Sylvia Manning is president of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, one of six regional institutional accreditors and the oldest accrediting organization in the United States. Her vision for the HLC has been to strengthen participation of the Commission's institutional leaders in helping to create the voice of the Commission on issues of state, regional, and national importance. She is committed to keeping accreditation timely, relevant, and accountable for members of the public and, most importantly, for the students served by HLC accredited institutions.

UI&U National Commencement Details: UI&U’s President’s Reception, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Friday, October 14, at the Cincinnati Academic Center, 440 East McMillan Street, Walnut Hills. UI&U National Commencement, 11 a.m. Saturday, October 15, Hall of Mirrors, at the Hilton Netherland Plaza, 35 West Fifth Street, downtown.

For more information on the national commencement events, please contact Nicole Hamilton, public relations manager, at 513-487-1194 or at Nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu.