Ridgefield Resident, Nicholas Donofrio, to Speak at Olin College Commencement

IBM Veteran and Kauffman Fellow to Address Graduates at College's Seventh Commencement Ceremony

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Nicholas Donofrio this year's Commencement speaker at Olin College

NEEDHAM, MA (05/09/2012)(readMedia)-- Ridgefield resident Nicholas Donofrio, a senior fellow at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and former IBM executive, will address the Class of 2012 at the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering's Commencement ceremony Sunday, May 20, at 3:00 p.m. on the campus's Great Lawn.

Donofrio serves on the U.S. Secretary of Energy's Advisory Board and the State of Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. He uses his vast experience as an innovator and entrepreneur in technology and science to explore programming opportunities for the Kauffman Foundation's initiative, Kauffman Labs for Enterprise Creation, which is aimed at creating high-growth companies.

A 44-year IBM veteran, Donofrio was elected an IBM fellow – the company's highest technical honor – in 2008. From 1997 until his retirement in October 2008, he served as executive vice president of Innovation and Technology. In addition to his most recent role, he served in a variety of capacities, including vice chairman of the IBM International Foundation and chairman of the Board of Governors for the IBM Academy of Technology.

Throughout his career, Donofrio received numerous awards, including two IBM Invention Achievement Awards, two IBM Outstanding Innovation Awards, CNBC's Overall Technology Leadership Award in 2005, and the Excellence in Leadership Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2008. He holds seven technology patents, is a member of numerous technical and science honor societies, and holds several board positions.

Donofrio received his B.S.E.E. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1967, his M.S.E.E. from Syracuse University in 1971 and holds several honorary doctorates in engineering and science from various U.S. and European colleges and universities.

Seventy students will receive Bachelor of Science degrees during the ceremony. Please visit Olin's Commencement website for additional details.