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 Bowie, MD (www.bowiestate.edu)–Bowie State University has selected Eastman Kodak's Chief Diversity Officer, Director for Community Affairs, and Vice President Essie Calhoun to deliver the keynote address to the class of 2007. The 139th annual commencement exercise will take place on May 19,2007 at Bowie State University's Bulldog Stadium at 8:30 a.m.
Ms. Calhoun began her career at Eastman Kodak Company as a sales representative in 1982 and has held positions in marketing, sales and public affairs. She was appointed chief diversity officer and director of community affairs in September 2003. In 1999, she was appointed a vice president and elected a corporate vice president by the Kodak Board of Directors in July 2000. As chief diversity officer, Ms. Calhoun's responsibilities include working with the Global Diversity and Inclusion Council to craft and implement strategies designed to maintain an environment that fosters inclusion and understanding among employees, customers, and suppliers. She also serves on the Senior Executive Diversity and Inclusion Council and works with the company's senior leadership as champions of a "Winning and Inclusive Culture" at Kodak that will enable all constituents to fully participate. As director of community affairs and president of the Eastman Kodak Charitable Trust, Ms. Calhoun oversees Kodak's corporate philanthropy and community involvement worldwide. A graduate of Leadership America, she is the founder of several organizations focused on leadership development, including the United Way of Rochester's African American Leadership Development Program and the Kodak Youth Leadership Academy. Her current board affiliations are Rochester Institute of Technology, the Greater Rochester Health Foundation (vice chair), Urban League of Rochester, Greater Rochester Enterprise, and University of Toledo Foundation. Among her many honors include serving as the 2001-2002 distinguished Minett Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology; the National Urban League Northeast Region Volunteer of the Year Award; Women's History Month Award; Network North Star's Annual Leadership Award; the NAACP Outstanding Leader Award; and about...time magazine's Exemplar Award. She also received the Martin Luther King Commission's Individual Award "in recognition of her lifelong personal and professional dedication, commitment and strength to help create a better community for all people." Ms. Calhoun holds a BEd degree in social science from the University of Toledo, an MS in administration and supervision from Bowie State University and an honorary doctorate from Roberts Wesleyan College. Celebrating the 2007 Graduates Alumni Fest
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Wiseman Centre 102 Wednesday, May 16, 2007
10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Wiseman Centre 102 Thursday, May 17, 2007
10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Wiseman Centre 102 2007 Graduates Reception
Friday, May 18, 2007
6 p.m.
McKeldin Gymnasium Hosted by
Bowie State University
BSU National Alumni Association
Geico
Nelnet
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"My experience at BSU is a wonderful one because of its community setting. The people are very personable. The diversity at BSU has helped shaped the true dynamic of this university." - Tiffanie D. Johnson
Dr. O'Brien serves as coordinator of the organizational communications graduate program for Bowie State University's Department of Communications. Previously, she was an assistant professor and coordinator for the electronic media program in the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University (GWU). She taught at GWU for nine years.
Kendra Simmons, who graduated with honors and a bachelor of science degree in computer technology from Bowie State University in 2004, has joined the prestigious consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton.
