Southwestern University will award two honorary doctorate degrees during the Saturday, May 7, 2016 Graduation Convocation; one to the Executive Director of the Commission on Presidential Debates Janet H. Brown, and one to President of Garey Construction and Southwestern University Life Trustee Jack Garey.

“I am delighted that we can celebrate Janet Brown and Jack Garey at our graduation ceremonies this May,” says Southwestern President Edward Burger. “Janet and Jack capture every quality that our students and graduates encompass–a passion for academic and intellectual exploration and the ability to connect those passions to the world in positive and profound ways. They exemplify the transformational power of the generous heart–continuously giving back to the community. Our students think, create, and connect to make meaning and make a difference, and Janet and Jack have exemplified this vision in how they live their lives. They are both inspirational role models for our entire campus community.”

“I am honored not only to have been invited to speak at Southwestern’s commencement, but to also receive an honorary degree – I am surprised, thrilled, and truly grateful,” says Brown. “I look forward to commencement, where I can share this special moment with the Southwestern community.”

“As a lifelong Central Texan and as somebody who is proud to call Georgetown home, receiving an honorary degree from Southwestern means a great deal,” says Garey. “Great cities go hand in hand with great universities, and Southwestern is a gem in the city of Georgetown. As a Life Member of the Board of Trustees, the institution will always hold a place in my heart–and so will this degree.”

An honorary degree recognizes an individual who has achieved truly exceptional scholarly, professional, innovative or creative distinction in an activity that is consistent with the mission and Core Values of Southwestern University. Nominees are based on suggestions made to the President and Dean of the Faculty by members of the SU community. The University Awards and Honors Committee reviews nominees and, on behalf of the entire faculty, advises the President and Dean of Faculty.  Final recommendations are brought to the Board of Trustees, who give the final approval.

For a full list of Southwestern’s honorary degree recipients, visit: http://www.southwestern.edu/live/news/2647-honorary-degree-recipients

JANET H. BROWN

Janet Brown is the executive director of the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). She has served as executive director for the Commission’s entire 25-year history. Established in 1987, the CPD is the nonpartisan, nonprofit corporation that sponsors and produces televised presidential and vice presidential debates during the fall of each general election. She has personally engaged and worked with every United States presidential candidate since the 1988 election. Beyond the four-year debate cycles, Brown, through the CPD, offers leadership and serves as a consultant and educator to government officials of emerging democracies in countries around the globe including Bosnia, Burundi, Colombia, Ghana, Haiti, Nigeria, Peru, and Uganda. Prior to joining the CPD, Ms. Brown served in various appointed positions at the White House and the Office of Management and Budget. She also served on the staffs of the Hon. John C. Danforth in the United States Senate and Ambassador Elliot L. Richardson at the State Department. In the world of fiction, she was the model for the heroine of Jeffrey Archer’s best-selling 1982 novel The Prodigal Daughter, and during that period some on Washington wondered publicly if Ms. Brown would be the first woman President of the United States. Brown has a baccalaureate degree from Williams College, where she later served as a trustee. In addition, she has served on the Board of Trustees of The Potomac School in Mclean, VA, and also chaired the alumni executive committee of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where she earned a master’s degree in public administration. Her many honors include honorary doctorates from the University of San Diego and Centre College. She is married to Michael F. Brewer, co-founder and board member of OncoTx, LLC, a start-up venture pursuing new approaches to cancer therapy, who is also a member of the Board of Visitors at Southwestern University. She will deliver the Commencement Address at Southwestern University’s Graduation Exercises on May 7, 2016.

JACK GAREY

Jack Garey is the President of Garey Construction Company and a Life Trustee of Southwestern University (having served as an active member of the Board of Trustees from 1998-2016). Mr. Garey is an outstanding member of the Georgetown Community, a committed environmentalist, business leader and philanthropist, and is being recognized by this honor for his contributions to Central Texas to enhance and promote green spaces and the environment. Garey’s most significant contribution to Central Texas generally, and the Georgetown community specifically, is the creation of the 525 acre Garey Park on Leander Road. Land that could have been sold for residential or commercial real estate development will instead forever remain open green space for the community to gather, reflect, learn, and explore. When Garey Park opens in 2017, it will be one of the finest public parks in America—larger than Austin’s Zilker Park, according to an article in the Austin American Statesman from January 3, 2015. Kimberly Garrett, Director of Georgetown’s Parks and Recreation Center says, “the park is the biggest gift the city of Georgetown has received in the past 20 years.” Mr. Garey holds a law degree and undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin. He is a former attorney, a business leader, and a developer. He recently married Doris Breaux. His late wife, Camille Garey, was a member of the Southwestern Board of Trustees from 2001-2006 and a lifelong resident of Georgetown until her death in November 2012.

SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Southwestern is a selective, nationally recognized undergraduate liberal arts and sciences university located in Georgetown, Texas. Established in 1840, it is the first  institution of higher learning in Texas. Southwestern’s residential campus offers a true liberal arts education with small classes and numerous collaborative undergraduate research opportunities. Its academic offerings include Paideia, an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to study, and close faculty-student collaboration. Students volunteer in the community at more than twice the national average and our scholar-athletes compete on one of 20 NCAA Division III varsity teams. For more information, visit www.southwestern.edu.