Spring Commencement Ceremonies Honor Graduates

James Madison University will hold its annual spring commencement ceremonies this weekend. More than 3,000 undergraduate and 600 graduate students will participate in ceremonies that run Thursday, May 2 through Saturday, May 4.

Schedule

Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m.

• Graduate School, Convocation Center

Friday, May 3

• 9 a.m. Nursing Convocation, Convocation Center
• 12 p.m. Honors College Medallion Ceremony, Festival Ballroom
• 3 p.m. University Ceremony, Bridgeforth Stadium: This ceremony will include guest speaker Jennifer Morgan, alumnae and SAP executive, a student speaker, and a faculty speaker.
• 6 p.m. College of Business, Bridgeforth Stadium; College of Education and University Studies, Convocation Center; College of Science and Mathematics, Alumni Centennial Park

Saturday, May 4

• 9 a.m. College of Arts and Letters, The Quad; College of Health and Behavioral Studies, Bridgeforth Stadium; College of Integrated Science and Engineering, Alumni Centennial Park; College of Visual and Performing Arts, Convocation Center
• 2 p.m. Army ROTC Commissioning, Memorial Hall Auditorium
• 3 p.m. Air Force ROTC Commissioning, Hotel Madison

About Jennifer Morgan

Recently named as one of Fortune magazine’s Most Powerful Women in Business and by Forbes as one of the Most Powerful Women in the World and Technology, Jennifer Morgan (’93) is a proud graduate of James Madison University.

Morgan is the first American woman ever named to the executive board of SAP, one of the world’s largest cloud technology companies.  In her past role, she was president of the Americas and Asia Pacific Japan, regions encompassing 70 countries, more than 43,000 employees, nearly 230,000 customers and more than $15 billion in annual revenue. Currently, Morgan is the president of SAP's Cloud Business Group and member of the executive board of SAP SE. 

Started in 1972, SAP is one of the world’s largest and most innovative cloud technology companies and one that has continually reinvented itself as the market leader in business software, helping hundreds of thousands of companies of all sizes and across every industry solve their most challenging business problems and run better. SAP operates in more than 130 countries and is represented by nearly 100,000 employees globally.

Through initiatives like its industry leading Autism at Work program and its receipt of EDGE certification, a recognition awarded by the World Economic Forum recognizing the company’s commitment to gender equality and equal pay in the workplace, Morgan has also become known as a leader committed to equal pay, diverse teams and an inclusive, winning culture – all of which lead to better business outcomes. 

Earlier this year, Morgan and her team launched A Call to Lead, a podcast extension of her successful event leadership series featuring short but meaningful conversations with leaders ranging from Arianna Huffington to Simon Sinek to share experiences and pass on wisdom to the next generation of leaders. Morgan has interviewed former U.S. presidents, entrepreneurs, CEOs and thinkers who are redefining what it takes to lead in the 21st century. In addition to her role at SAP, Morgan serves on the board of directors of the Bank of New York Mellon, the nonprofit board of the National Academy Foundation and the JMU College of Business Board of Advisors.

The graduate ceremony and university ceremony can be watched live by visiting JMU's Facebook page.

Media contact: Mary-Hope Vass, vassmg@jmu.edu, or 540-568-7487.