CONTACT
Tammi L. Thomas
University Relations and Marketing
301-860-3555
tlthomas@bowiestate.edu

Radio One's Cathy Hughes Will Address Bowie State's Spring Graduates

WHAT
This year Bowie State University (BSU) commemorates its 145th anniversary as Maryland's oldest HBCU and one of the oldest in the nation. On May 21, the BSU community will celebrate more than 600 graduates during this year's spring commencement. Graduates will receive degrees in more than 40 academic programs administered by the University's College of Education, Business, Professional Studies, and Arts and Sciences. Catherine Liggins Hughes will give the commencement address and is receiving an honorary degree from Bowie State University.

WHO
Catherine "Cathy" Liggins Hughes has been Chairperson of the board of directors and Secretary of Radio One since 1980, and was Chief Executive Officer of Radio One from 1980 to 1997. She was one of the founders of Radio One's predecessor company in 1980. Since 1980 she has worked in various capacities for Radio One, one of the largest African American-owned and operated broadcast companies in the United States. There are now 53 radio stations in 16 markets and a cable network, TV One.

In May 1999, Cathy Hughes and her son Alfred Liggins, President and CEO, took their company public. Hughes made history again by becoming the first African American woman with a company on the stock exchange. Radio One's value is currently in excess of two billion dollars. In 2000, Black Enterprise magazine named Radio One, "Company of the Year," Fortune magazine rated it one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For," and Radio One was inducted into the Maryland Business Hall of Fame.

Radio One is recognized for its intense community involvement--the trademark of Cathy Hughes. Her pioneering work has led Essence magazine to name her one of the "100 Who Have Changed the World," and one of the "100 Most Powerful and Influential Person" by Washingtonian magazine. Radio Ink continues to list her as one of the "20 Most Influential Women in Radio" and Ebony magazine cites her as one of the "10 Most Powerful Women in Black America."

The Washington Post describes Hughes as "the Voice of the Black community." Her stations now reach more than 18 million Black listeners daily. She is committed to keeping Black broadcast ownership alive and her goal of building a broadcast empire with a solid foundation in the African American community has come to fruition. The result has been an increase in revenue and opportunities for minorities and women. Hughes currently has more than 1,500 Black broadcasters on staff at Radio One, Inc.

Hughes' dedication to minority communities, entrepreneurial spirit and mentoring of women are manifested in every aspect of her work and life. As such, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Washington Area Broadcasters Association and The Seventh Congressional District Humanitarian Award. In 2001, she received the National Association of Broadcasters' Distinguished Service Award, as well as the Advertising Club of Metropolitan Washington's Silver Medal Award. Most recently, Hughes was presented with the highly coveted Golden Mike Award from the Broadcasters' Foundation, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters and a 2002 Essence Magazine Award.

Radio One's newest venture, TV One, Inc. launched on January 19, 2004, in partnership with Comcast, the nation's largest pay-television provider. TV One caters to the adult lifestyles of African Americans by offering quality programming such as "227", "Amen," "Good Times," "Lincoln Heights," and an array of original programming. Cathy Hughes sits on the board of TV One and is Executive Producer of "The Gospel of Music with Jeff Majors," which also airs on TV One.

WHEN
Friday, May 21, 2010
10 a.m.

WHERE
Bulldog (Football) Stadium
Bowie State University
14000 Jericho Park Road
Bowie, Maryland 20715

ABOUT BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds who seek a high quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The University places special emphasis on the science, technology, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit the website at www.bowiestate.edu. For more information about the 145th anniversary visit the website at http://www2.bowiestate.edu/145/.