April 7, 2008
Lyon College News Bureau

The president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) will lend his knowledge and give best wishes to graduating seniors at Lyon College’s 135th commencement May 10.

Dr. David L. Warren (left) will be keynote speaker at the 9 a.m. Saturday ceremony in Couch Garden. Lyon College also will award Warren an honorary degree.

Warren became president of NAICU in 1993, after nearly a decade as president of Ohio Wesleyan University.

Warren is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices for higher education in Washington, D.C. He is a crusader for America’s private colleges and for increased financial aid funding for all college students.

Before becoming president of Ohio Wesleyan, Warren was the chief administrative officer of the City of New Haven, Conn., from 1982 to 1984. Warren earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Washington State University, master’s degrees in both divinity and urban studies from Yale University, and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Michigan.

He current serves as a trustee at Eckerd College and Agnes Scott College.

Commencement weekend begins Friday, May 9, at 4 p.m., with the President’s Reception at Bradley Manor for seniors, their parents, faculty and staff, and at 5:30 p.m., an Alumni Dinner honoring the Class of 2008 will begin in Becknell Gymnasium.

The Baccalaureate Service begins at 7:30 p.m. May 9 in Brown Chapel with the Rev. Leslie Frances Smith Belden (at right), campus minister at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, as speaker.

For tickets to the Alumni Dinner, contact Amy Bibb, administrative coordinator to the Office of Alumni and Parent Services, at (870) 307-7240.