HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY—Northern Kentucky University will honor 1,875 graduates over two
ceremonies at the university’s 52nd Commencement on Sunday, May 5. Students from the
College of Arts and Sciences, College of Informatics and College of Education will graduate
Sunday morning, and in the afternoon the university will honor graduates from Haile College of
Business and the College of Health and Human Services.
Receiving honorary degrees at the ceremonies will be Frank Caccamo and William Butler.
Frank Caccamo has more than five decades of experience across the business field. He has
held numerous, pivotal leadership roles in information technology contributing his talents to
higher education through various advisory and board memberships. NKU is proud to confer an
honorary Doctor of Education degree upon Frank R. Caccamo in recognition of his service as a
beacon of inspiration for future generations, embodying the university’s commitment to
excellence, innovation and service to the community.
William P. Butler will also receive an honorary Doctor of Education degree and give the
afternoon ceremony commencement address. Butler is known for his dedication and
contributions to education, business and civic prosperity in northern Kentucky. Throughout the
years, Butler has made exceptional contributions to NKU through his time and talent. Most
notably, Mr. Butler has greatly impacted NKU student excellence through his contributions,
which have established both the Butler Scholars program and the marching funds for the LIFT
Scholars program. William P. Butler’s pivotal role in the university’s growth makes NKU proud to
confer upon him an honorary Doctor of Education degree.
Carlee Franklin will serve as student commencement speaker in the morning ceremony.
Franklin will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Information
Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing. Grace McConn
will serve as student commencement speaker in the afternoon ceremony. McConn will graduate
summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Bachelor of Science in
Economics.
Alejandro Villasenor Lara is the recipient of the President’s Award. The President’s Award is
given to a senior who has greatly contributed to the development of a strong sense of
community at NKU through their efforts to break down barriers of discrimination, increase
international awareness, further interaction between traditional and nontraditional students,
promote diversity or improve handicap access and awareness.
There are now more than 78,000 Northern Kentucky University graduates living and working in
every corner of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and across the globe.
About Northern Kentucky University: NKU is an entrepreneurial state university of more than
15,000 students on a thriving suburban campus nestled between Highland Heights, Kentucky,
and bustling downtown Cincinnati. Ranked in the top 50 out of 400 universities nationwide
by The Wall Street Journal for exceptional value, we are a regionally engaged university
committed to delivering an innovative, student-centered education. We empower our graduates
to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives, while contributing to the economic, civic and
social vitality of the region. Learn more at nku.edu.
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Media Contact: Gianna Vitali | Public Relations | 859-572-6948 | vitalig1@nku.edu
