Johnson & Wales University (JWU) will award a total of eight honorary doctorate degrees and a total of 3,279 undergraduate and graduate degrees at its 2017 commencement ceremonies held at the university’s four U.S. campuses.

At its Providence Campus, three ceremonies are scheduled over two days.

On Friday, May 19, the university will award 343 degrees at its Graduate Studies Commencement at the Dunkin Donuts Center beginning at 11 a.m. Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO, Rhode Island Foundation, will be the keynote speaker and will receive an honorary Doctor of Business Administration.

On Saturday, May 20, two undergraduate ceremonies will be held at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. The morning ceremony, starting at 8:45 a.m., will recognize the graduates of the John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, School of Engineering & Design and School of Hospitality. David L. Warren, Ph.D., president, National Association of Independent Colleges and University (NAICU), will be the keynote speaker and will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

That afternoon, beginning at 1:45 p.m., the afternoon ceremony will recognize the graduates of the College of Culinary Arts and School of Hospitality (Food Service Management). Two honorary degrees will be awarded—Charles M. Royce, chairman and portfolio manager, Royce & Associates, LP will be the keynote speaker and will receive an honorary Doctor of Business Administration. Gary R. Comella ’76, executive chef, University Club, Providence, R.I., will receive a Doctor of Culinary Arts.

Also on Saturday, May 20, JWU’s three regional campuses will hold commencement ceremonies:

NORTH MIAMI CAMPUS, NORTH MIAMI, FLA.

Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, 10 a.m.

Recipient and Speaker: Ira D. Hall, retired president and CEO, Utendahl Capital Management LP, and former treasurer, Texaco, Inc., honorary Doctor of Business Administration

DENVER CAMPUS, DENVER, COLO.

Colorado Convention Center, Bellco Theatre, 10 a.m. (MST) Recipient and Speaker: Richard C. Saunders, founder and chairman emeritus, Saunders Construction, Inc., honorary Doctor of Business Administration

CHARLOTTE CAMPUS, CHARLOTTE, N.C.

The Spectrum Center, 10 a.m.

Recipient and Speaker: Kat Cole, group president, FOCUS Brands, honorary Doctor of Business Administration. The university will also award Michael A. Kahn, owner/CEO, Charlotte Checkers; Empire Distributors, Inc., with an honorary Doctor of Business Administration.