MDC President to Receive Honorary Doctorate at Rollins College Commencement May 8, Joining Elite Company that Includes U.S. Presidents and Members of Cabinet
Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón will also deliver commencement address to graduates of Florida’s oldest recognized college
Miami, April 25, 2011 - Miami Dade College (MDC) President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón will receive an honorary doctorate from Rollins College during its May 8 Commencement, joining past U.S. Presidents, members of Cabinet, and a renowned American playwright who have also been awarded the distinction. Rollins President Dr. Lewis M. Duncan will present him with the honor after President Padrón delivers the institution’s commencement address. Founded in 1885, Rollins College, located in Winter Park outside of Orlando, is a respected liberal arts institution and the oldest recognized college in the Sunshine State.
Dr. Padrón joins great company in receiving this recognition from Rollins. Past recipients include U.S. Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry Truman, former US Secretary of State Colin Powell and American playwright Edward Albee, among other luminaries.
A passionate speaker who will deliver an inspirational speech to Rollins graduates, PresidentPadrón has been the subject of many local and national news reports, especially in the last several weeks. He recently returned from Washington where he joined President Barack Obama, a speaker at MDC’s upcoming graduation ceremony on April 29, for a Town Meeting regarding Hispanics and education where the Commander in Chief lauded him for his leadership and the quality of education at MDC. Dr. Padrón also recently announced the groundbreaking American Dream Scholarship at MDC that will provide a free college education to Miami-Dade County high schools graduates earning a B average or better. Just before this major announcement, President Padrón was elected the chair of the prestigious American Council on Education.
Last fall, President Obama appointed him to chair the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. Also, last year, Dr. Padrón was named the “Floridian of the Year” by Florida Trend magazine and, in 2009, one of the nation’s “10 Best College Presidents” by TIME magazine. There are many accolades he’s received during his four decades in higher education with most centering on his championing of college access and achievement for underserved student populations.
Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Tere Estorino, 305-237-3949, testorin@mdc.edu, MDC media relations director
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist
Tarnell Carroll, 305-237-3359, tcarroll@mdc.edu, media specialist