CWU Announces 2005 Commencement Speakers

March 8, 2005

Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: loweryr@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The first woman of color to go into space, Dr. Mae C. Jemison will present the commencement address at Central Washington University's 114th graduation ceremony Saturday, June 11, in Ellensburg.

And, Dr. Linda Clark-Santos, senior vice-president, talent and organizational capability at Washington Mutual, will be the keynote speaker at CWU's westside graduation ceremony Sunday, June 12, in Seattle.

Jemison was a member of the crew aboard the space shuttle orbiter "Endeavour" on its September 1992 mission. Now, founder and president of two technology companies, Jemison has also served as medical doctor, linguist, medical missionary in West Africa and television broadcaster.

One of her companies, The Jemison Group Inc. is dedicated to research, development and implementation of advanced technologies to aid developing nations in the areas of healthcare, food production and the environment.

The other, BioSentient is a medical technology firm that develops and markets mobile equipment worn to monitor the body's vital signs and train people to respond favorably during stressful situations.

More than 1,200 students are expected to participate in CWU's Ellensburg graduation ceremonies, scheduled for 10 a.m. at Tomlinson Stadium. A crowd of more than 7,000 is expected.

Meanwhile, more than 200 graduates from CWU-Lynnwood, CWU-SeaTac and CWU-Pierce County, along with friends and family members, will hear Clark-Santos' address, slated for 6:30 p.m. in Benaroya Hall.

At Washington Mutual, Clark-Santos is responsible for leadership, diversity and university recruitment; organizational learning and development; talent management and succession planning; leadership and executive development; and human resources communication.

Prior to joining Washington Mutual, Clark-Santos held similar positions at Starbucks Coffee Company, H-E-B Grocery Company and H. J. Heinz/Ore-Ida Foods.

In addition, she served as dean of Continuing Education at Central. Earlier in her career, Clark-Santos spent a number of years in public education as a school teacher and university faculty member.

She also now is a member of the advisory board for the CWU College of Business.