Governor, Businessman, Native American Leader to Address Graduates

PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire will address graduating Washington State University students in business and economics, education and nursing during a 3 p.m. ceremony Saturday, May 7 at Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. That will be the third of three commencement ceremonies to be held Saturday on the Pullman campus.

About 2,100 students — 1,900 undergraduates and 200 graduate and professional — are expected to take part in the three ceremonies, said Teri Nelson, university commencement coordinator.

Before becoming the state’s governor in January, Gregoire served three terms as Washington’s attorney general, the first woman elected to the position in state history. She is a University of Washington graduate and earned a law degree from Gonzaga University.

For the first time since 1995, the university also will be awarding an honorary doctoral degree Saturday. Clarence A. “Bud” Ryan, a pioneer researcher in plant biochemistry and the first WSU faculty member to be admitted to the National Academy of Sciences, will receive the degree at the 8 a.m. ceremony.

WSU graduate Christopher Nelson, president of Kemin Industries, Des Moines, Iowa, will speak at that ceremony, during which graduates in agricultural, human, and natural resource sciences; engineering and architecture; pharmacy; sciences and veterinary medicine will receive degrees. Nelson earned a WSU biochemistry and biophysics doctoral degree in 1980. Ryan was his doctoral adviser.

Nelson’s company is a global nutritional ingredient firm specializing in improving human and animal health through molecular innovations. Kemin operates manufacturing facilities on six continents and has more than 45 offices worldwide.

WSU education graduate Wendell Jim, general manager of the education branch of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, will speak to graduates at the 11:30 a.m. liberal arts ceremony.

An Indian education issues and rights advocate, Jim is helping develop government-to-government collaboration models, interagency partnerships and legislation on tribal sovereignty, treaty rights and education. Representing the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, he is a member of the WSU Native American Advisory Board to the WSU president.

WSU President V. Lane Rawlins will preside at each of the three ceremonies.

Related links:

Commencement highlight students https://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/viewTips.asp?id=94

Ryan to receive honorary degree: https://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/detail.asp?StoryID=5004