Roger Williams University to Confer More Than 1,100 Degrees in 2010 Commencement Exercises

BRISTOL, RI (04/28/2010)(readMedia)-- Roger Williams University will confer more than 1,100 degrees during the University's 2010 Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 22. William J. Bratton, regarded by many as one of the most innovative police chiefs in America's history, will address the RWU graduating class and receive an honorary degree during the ceremony.

Roger Williams President Roy J. Nirschel will preside over the University's general Commencement ceremony, which will begin at 10 a.m. on the University's main athletic field on the Bristol Campus at One Ferry Road. In addition to Mr. Bratton, Diane C. Mederos and Robert F. Stoico will receive honorary degrees that day.

On Friday, May 21, the Hon. O. Rogeriee Thompson, the first African-American and second female judge to serve on the First Circuit Court of Appeals, will be presented with an honorary degree during the Roger Williams University School of Law Commencement ceremony.

The selection of Mr. Bratton as the Commencement speaker for the main University ceremony brings to the Roger Williams campus a figure renowned internationally for his creative approach to fighting crime, improving police relations with communities in Boston, New York and Los Angeles and reducing corruption in the departments he has commanded.

"Mr. Bratton's outstanding record of leadership and his dedication to public service are an inspiration for all of our new graduates and their families," says President Nirschel. "Innovation, dedication and a commitment to community and the greater good are esteemed virtues across the workforce, no matter the discipline. Like each of this year's honorary degree recipients, Mr. Bratton is a living testament to these ideals."

The following paragraphs provide biographical informational for Mr. Bratton and the other individuals receiving honorary doctorates during the Commencement ceremonies:

William J. Bratton, chairman of Altegrity Risk International

Doctor of Justice Studies

In 2009, Mr. Bratton became chairman of Altegrity Risk International, a security solutions firm that provides investigative, analytic, consulting and security services to businesses around the world. While in public service as Chief of the New York City Transit Police, Boston Police Commissioner, New York City Police Commissioner, and then Chief of Police for the Los Angeles Police Department, he revitalized morale and cut crime significantly in all four posts.

Mr. Bratton holds a bachelor of science degree in law enforcement from Boston State College (University of Massachusetts Boston). He is a graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute and was a senior executive fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Diane C. Mederos, town administrator for Bristol, Rhode Island

Doctor of Public Service

Diane C. Mederos is currently serving in her third term as town administrator for Bristol, R.I., Roger Williams University's hometown. An alumna of Roger Williams, Ms. Mederos has devoted the last 30 years of her career to serving Bristol residents. In 1984, she began her career in public office by becoming the first woman to be elected Bristol's town clerk.

Ms. Mederos holds a bachelor of arts in elementary education and English from Rhode Island College, and in 1994 earned a bachelor of arts in business administration from Roger Williams. She also holds a master's in public administration from the University of Rhode Island.

Robert F. Stoico, chairman, president and CEO of The Robert F. Stoico/FIRSTFED Charitable Foundation

Doctor of Business Management

Robert F. Stoico is the founder of The Robert F. Stoico/FIRSTFED Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic organization that has given and pledged nearly $15 million to the communities of Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island since 1998. Prior to his retirement Mr. Stoico served for nearly 30 years as chairman, president and chief executive officer of FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC. (FIRSTFED). During his tenure as CEO, the company grew from a small federal savings and loan to a multi-billion dollar financial services company.

Mr. Stoico is active in civic and community affairs in Southeastern New England and is a member of the Board of Trustees for Roger Williams University. Mr. Stoico is a 1964 graduate of Boston College.

The Honorable O. Rogeriee Thompson, judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Doctor of Laws

The Honorable O. Rogeriee Thompson is a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. After two decades of service on the Rhode Island courts, she was nominated to the federal court by President Obama and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in 2010. Judge Thompson is the first African-American and the second woman to serve on the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which is one level below the Supreme Court of the United States.

In 1988 Judge Thompson was appointed to the Rhode Island District Court, where she served for nearly a decade. In 1997 she was appointed to the Rhode Island Superior Court, becoming the first African-American woman to serve as an associate justice in the state. Judge Thompson holds a bachelor of arts from Brown University and a juris doctorate from the Boston University School of Law.

The 2010 RWU Commencement exercises are closed to the public, but members of the media are welcome to attend with advance reservations by contacting Ruth Bazinet in University Communications at (401) 254-3805.

About RWU: Roger Williams University is a leading independent, coeducational liberal arts university at which students live and learn to be global citizens. With 40 academic programs and an array of co-curricular activities on its Bristol, R.I., campus, RWU is committed to its mantra of learning to bridge the world. Under the leadership of President Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., the University has achieved unprecedented academic and financial successes. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named RWU the seventh-ranked baccalaureate college in the north.