MacArthur 'Genius' Fellow Bill Strickland to Deliver Babson College Commencement Address May 15, 2010

BABSON PARK, Mass., May 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- MacArthur "Genius" Fellow William E. Strickland, Jr., President & CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation, will deliver the Babson College commencement address during ceremonies on May 15, 2010, on the Babson campus.

Strickland will speak at both the 10 a.m. and the 2:30 p.m. ceremonies and will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Also honored will be John J. Fernandes, President & CEO of AACSB International, who will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws.

Visit Babson's commencement page for details: http://www3.babson.edu/events/commencement/.

William E. Strickland, Jr.

William E. Strickland, Jr. is President and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation and its subsidiaries, Manchester Craftsmen's Guild (MCG) and Bidwell Training Center (BTC), both founded in 1968.

As president-CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation and its subsidiaries, Strickland builds partnerships to help the disadvantaged build a better future. The MacArthur Fellowship "genius" award winner is also founder of the Grammy-winning MCG Jazz, the most successful jazz subscription series in America.

Strickland has completed the development of a new 40,000 sq. ft. production greenhouse, created for the development of Phalaenopsis orchids and hydroponics vegetables; a 70,000 sq. ft. medical technology complex, which has exceeded eight million dollars in value; and a 62,000 sq. ft. facility as a mortgage free asset for both MCG and BTC. The facilities include a 350-seat music/lecture hall, library, arts studios and labs, dining and meeting rooms, state-of-the-art award winning audio and video recording studios, serve as a demonstration site for Hewlett Packard and Steelcase equipment and are home to 25,000 Phalaenopsis orchids that are cultivated for wholesale distribution.

More info available at: http://www.bill-strickland.org/

View Strickland's TED video: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/209

John J. Fernandes

John J. Fernandes is the President and Chief Executive Officer of AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB International is the world's largest association of business schools from 76 countries and the primary global accrediting body for business schools and accounting programs.

Prior to AACSB, John served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for The Institute of Internal Auditors and Vice President and General Auditor for New York City Transit. His experience includes staff and management positions with Exxon Company USA, Cameron Iron Works and Houston METRO.

More info at: http://www.aacsb.edu/

Babson's Eco-Friendly Commencement

This is Babson's most eco-friendly commencement.

The caps and gowns are eco-friendly, made from 100 percent post-consumer, recycled plastic bottles. The fabric is spun from molten plastic pellets; each gown takes an average 23 bottles to make - roughly 20,700 fewer bottles destined to landfills!

Diplomas are printed on cotton parchment; 100 percent cotton rag paper made from recovered tree-free fibers, and they are manufactured in Massachusetts.

Programs, tickets, booklets, and other printed materials are made from recycled paper wherever possible.

Babson is using biodegradable cups, plates, napkins, and cutlery at the receptions, and water stations around the commencement tent will offer biodegradable cups to decrease the amount of water bottles.

About Babson

Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., is recognized internationally as a leader in entrepreneurial management education. Babson grants BS degrees through its innovative undergraduate program, and grants MBA and custom MS and MBA degrees through the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. Babson Executive Education offers executive development programs to experienced managers worldwide. For information, visit www.babson.edu.  

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SOURCE Babson College