Providence College Awards Graduate Degree to Michael Walker, Smithfield, RI Resident During 96th Commencement Exercises

2014 May 27

Michael Walker, a resident of Smithfield, RI, was among the nearly 130 students who received graduate degrees from Providence College during the College's Ninety-Sixth Commencement Exercises held on Sunday, May 18, 2014. Walker graduated with a master's degree in arts.

The Commencement address was delivered by Dr. Temple Grandin, an autism awareness advocate, leading innovator in the livestock industry, best-selling author, and engineer. She received an honorary doctorate in Science. Four other distinguished individuals received honorary degrees from the College. They are: the Honorable Francis J. Darigan, Jr. '64, retired justice from the Superior Court of Rhode Island; Raymond M. Murphy, entrepreneur and philanthropist; Sister Margaret Ormond, O.P., Prioress of the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of Peace; and Carolyn Rafaelian, creator, designer and acting CEO of Alex and Ani.

Providence College is the only college or university in the United States administered by the Dominican Friars. The Catholic, liberal arts college has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,900 students and offers degrees in 49 academic majors. Since 1997, Providence College has consistently been ranked among the top five regional universities in the north according to U.S. News' America's Best Colleges.

Note to Editor:

An on-line press kit is available at http://www.providence.edu/MEDIA/commencement-2014/Pages/default.aspx