CAMDEN -- The CEO of Campbell Soup Company and Pennsylvanias First Lady are among the speakers who will deliver keynote addresses during three commencement ceremonies for the graduating Class of 2007 at Rutgers Universitys Camden campus.
More than eleven hundred students will receive their bachelors, masters and Juris Doctor degrees during three separate events on Thursday, May 17.
Douglas R. Conant, president and CEO of Campbell Soup Company, will deliver the keynote address during commencement exercises for the Rutgers University School of Business at Camden at 9 a.m. Conant became the 11th leader of Campbell in 2001. Under his leadership, Campbell has made significant investments to improve product quality and packaging, strengthen the effectiveness of its marketing programs, and develop a robust innovation pipeline. The company also has improved its financial profile, enhanced its relationships with its customers, and improved its employee engagement through investments in its organization. As a result, the Camden-based organization once again has become a formidable force in the global food industry.
The Honorable Marjorie (Midge) Rendell will deliver the keynote address during the Rutgers University School of Law at Camden graduation exercises at 1 p.m. A judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, she is the chair of the U.S. Judicial Conference Committee on the Administration of the Bankruptcy System and also serves on several Third Circuit committees. As Pennsylvanias First Lady, Rendell promotes the Keystone States rich history and seeks to impart civic responsibility to the states children through citizenship and civic learning. She is the wife of Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell.
Roger J. Dennis, the newly appointed founding dean of the Drexel Law School and outgoing provost of Rutgers-Camden, will deliver the keynote address at a 6 p.m. ceremony for the Rutgers-Camden College of Arts and Sciences/Graduate School/University College. Under Dennis 10-year tenure as provost, Rutgers-Camden expanded its portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs offerings; increased research funding support from federal and other agencies; significantly upgraded campus facilities and grounds; and embarked upon an aggressive campaign to deliver Rutgers services to the citizens of southern New Jersey.
All commencement services will be held in the Tweeter Center, located on the Camden Waterfront.
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