Niagara University announces 2017 commencement honorees

Niagara University's 2017 schedule of commencement ceremonies will be highlighted by addresses from the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and the author of the acclaimed biography "Alexander Hamilton."

Niagara University will hold four commencement events - two for undergraduates - as well as a special liturgy and ROTC commissioning, all of which will take place on the upper level of the Gallagher Center. In addition, the 64th class of the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy will graduate during a ceremony in the Castellani Art Museum.

Approximately 1,100 academic degrees are expected to be awarded.

Admission will be granted to ticketed guests only.

The Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy's graduating class will hear a keynote address from FBI Special Agent in Charge Holly Huber. The ceremony takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10.

The keynote speaker for Niagara's graduate/Ph.D. commencement exercises, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11, will be Jahana Hayes, the 2016 National Teacher of the Year. Hayes will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from NU.

On Friday, May 12, a commencement liturgy will take place in the upper level of the Gallagher Center at 4 p.m. The day concludes with a senior class gala at 5 p.m. and the ROTC commissioning at 7 p.m.

Bill Polian, Pro Football Hall of Famer and celebrated ESPN personality, will deliver the commencement address to Niagara University's colleges of Business Administration, Education, and Hospitality and Tourism Management at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 13. Polian will receive an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science. Also being honored at the ceremony will be Michael Tobin, an international correspondent for Fox News, who will be granted an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

At 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, Niagara University's College of Arts and Sciences will hear from Ron Chernow, one of the pre-eminent biographers of his generation. Chernow will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Also, the Very Rev. Michael Carroll, C.M., '73, former provincial of the Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission and current vice chair of Niagara University's board of trustees, will be presented with the Caritas Medal.

For more information on Niagara University's 2017 commencement ceremonies, visit www.niagara.edu/commencement.