Ohio University's 2016 undergraduate commencement speaker is Bill Brand, an alumnus and cable channel executive.
Before Ohio University seniors move the tassels on their graduations caps in April, they will have the opportunity to hear from an OU alumnus and cable channel executive.
Bill Brand, who graduated from OU's School of Media Arts and Studies in 1987, will speak at OU's undergraduate commencement ceremonies April 30. The ceremonies will take place at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
Brand is the president of the cable channel HSN and the chief marketing officer of HSN, Inc. He previously was the senior vice president of programming at the channel Lifetime in Los Angeles, and vice president of programming and production for VH1 in New York.
“Bill Brand is very excited about being our commencement speaker and we could not be more elated to welcome such a successful alumnus back to campus,” OU President Roderick McDavis said in a news release. “We believe our graduates and their families will be inspired by his message of perseverance and determination coupled with his intense admiration for Ohio University.”
For the first time, OU students had a chance to help vote for the Spring Commencement speaker from a list of 16 nominees in January. In February, a list of the top eight potential speakers was sent to the Office of the President for consideration, according to a previous Post report.
In 2012, Brand created the "73 West State Scholar Award," which is a two-year renewable scholarship for students in the Scripps College of Communication.
“I am excited to return to Athens to deliver this year’s commencement address,” Brand said in the release. “It is an honor to have the opportunity to inspire the 2016 graduating class and give back to my alma mater in this way.”
@megankhenry
mh573113@ohio.edu
