Commencement Speakers, Honorary Degree Recipients Announced
INDIANAPOLIS – Marian University will award 904 degrees at two separate ceremonies May 6-7. A record 770 undergraduate and graduate students will receive bachelors and master’s degrees at the university’s 80th Commencement Ceremony, to be held on campus at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 6. The following day, 133 students from the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s inaugural class will receive doctorates of osteopathic medicine, marking the first time a future doctor will graduate from a medical school in Indiana other than Indiana University School of Medicine.
The ceremony on campus is scheduled for St. Vincent Health Field. If inclement weather prohibits an outdoor ceremony, festivities will be moved to the Physical Education Center on campus. Lisa Harris, M.D., chief executive officer, Eskenazi Health, will deliver the commencement address.
The ceremony for the College of Osteopathic Medicine is Sunday, May 7 at 2 p.m. at the Hilbert Circle Theatre. John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., chairman of the board of directors, Eli Lilly and Company, will deliver the commencement address.
Marian University will confer honorary degrees at both commencement ceremonies. Recipients are:
80th Commencement Ceremony
Lisa Harris, M.D., Doctor of Science -- Dedicated to improving healthcare for vulnerable and underserved populations, Lisa Harris, M.D., has practiced medicine for 30 years at nationally recognized Eskenazi Health. Today, Harris serves as Eskenazi Health’s chief executive officer, leading one of America’s essential healthcare systems that also serves as a vital training ground for the Indiana University School of Medicine.
William and Jane Drew, Doctor of Humane Letters -- William and Jane Drew have an extensive background in highway construction management and logo sign program development, managing complex projects including highway signing, traffic signals, guardrails and fences, highway lighting, and pavement markers.
Paul J. Norman, Doctor of Business -- Paul J. Norman ’73 is chairman and chief executive officer of NU Holdings, Inc., a holding company employing approximately 175 people in 10 offices countrywide and operating several subsidiaries, which include Norman-Spencer Agency, Inc., Western Marine Insurance Services, Northern Star Management, and REO Advisors. All of these companies administer insurance programs for specific industries.
Inaugural Commencement, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Jonathan S. Nalli, Doctor of Business -- Jonathan S. Nalli serves as chief executive officer of St. Vincent. He also serves as senior vice president, Ascension Healthcare, and Indiana Ministry Market Executive. St. Vincent is a 20-hospital system and one of the largest employers serving central and southern Indiana.
Bryan A. Mills, Doctor of Business -- Bryan A. Mills was appointed president and chief executive officer of Community Health Network on May 1, 2009. He had served as chief executive officer of Visionary Enterprises, Inc., (VEI), a for-profit affiliate within Community Health Network, from 1992 to 2009. Mills began his career with Community Health Network in 1985 as controller for Community Hospital North.
William and Teresa Eckman, Doctor of Humane Letters -- William and Teresa Eckman both graduated from Central Catholic High School in Lafayette, Indiana, and were recognized as outstanding alumni in 2014. Mr. Eckman began his professional career in 1977 with the United States Council of the International Chamber of Commerce in New York. In 1978, he joined the Controllers Department of ExxonMobil Chemical in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He later moved to Houston, Texas, with the company, having several positions in the Latin American and specialty chemical divisions.