Tony Award-Nominated Actor Christopher Jackson To Speak at Oglethorpe University's 2018 Commencement

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ATLANTA, GA (03/28/2018) Oglethorpe University's Commencement Ceremony honoring the graduating Class of 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 12 at 9:00 a.m. on the academic quadrangle of the historic campus at 4484 Peachtree Road in Atlanta.

Speaking at this year's Commencement will be honorary degree recipient Christopher Jackson, a Tony Award-nominated and Grammy Award-winning actor and an Emmy Award-winning songwriter/composer. Oglethorpe will present Jackson with the honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, in recognition of his commitment to music, theatre, early childhood education, and autism awareness.

Jackson originated the role of George Washington in the Broadway smash hit "Hamilton: An American Musical," and currently stars on the CBS television show "Bull." Jackson also served as a composer and songwriter for the iconic children's program, "Sesame Street," winning an Emmy Award for his song for the show with artist Will.I.Am, "What I Am." He also was the co-music supervisor and writer for the children's program "The Electric Company." Following his son's autism diagnosis in 2007, Jackson became an Autism Awareness Advocate and along with his wife, Veronica, serves on the National Board of KultureCity, a nonprofit organization that helps provide much needed sensory-inclusive rooms and aids for families and individuals on the autism spectrum.

"Throughout his career and his life, Christopher Jackson has shown a passion for making a social impact and inspiring empathy--both through his craft and through his efforts supporting early childhood education and autism awareness," said Oglethorpe University President Lawrence M. Schall, J.D., Ed.D. "He shares Oglethorpe's commitment to ensuring that our next generations succeed and thrive."

President Schall and Board of Trustees Chair and alumnus Timothy P. Tassopoulos, president and chief operating officer of Chick-fil-A, Inc., will preside over the commencement ceremony for approximately 200 graduates. Other commencement speakers will include student leaders Hannah Gibbs, senior class president, and Anna Gandy, Student Government Association president. Further details may be found at commencement.oglethorpe.edu.

About Christopher Jackson

Christopher Jackson is a Tony Award-nominated actor as well as a Grammy and Emmy Award-winning songwriter/composer best known for starring as George Washington in the critically acclaimed, award-winning musical, Hamilton. Jackson's Broadway credits include Holler if Ya Hear Me, After Midnight, The Bronx Bombers (Derek Jeter), In The Heights (Benny), Memphis (Delray Farrell) and The Lion King (Simba). Off Broadway includes Bronx Bombers (Primary Stages), The Jammer (Atlantic Theater Co.), Lonely, I'm Not (Second Stage), In the Heights (37 Arts), and Cotton Club Parade (ENCORES at City Center). Jackson can currently be seen starring in the hit CBS drama "Bull" in which he plays Chunk, a stylist who prepares defendants for trial. In film and TV, he has appeared in Freestyle Love Supreme (Pivot Network), Person of Interest, A Gifted Man, Fringe, Gossip Girl, Tracers, and Afterlife. Jackson recorded an original song written by Lin-Manuel Miranda for the Disney film Moana. He was also the Composer/Songwriter for Sesame Street, earning six Emmy nominations and one win, and co-Music Supervisor and Writer for The Electric Company (PBS). Jackson won an Emmy Award for his song with Will.I.Am, "What I Am". In 2010, he released his first solo album titled, IN THE NAME OF LOVE with Yellow Sound Lab Records and is currently working on his second album. He has several musical projects in development for the musical stage.

About Oglethorpe University

Founded in 1835, Oglethorpe University is Atlanta's only co-educational small private college, home to 1250 eclectic and engaged students from 33 states and 38 countries. Renowned for its groundbreaking Core program, Oglethorpe's academically rigorous programs emphasize intellectual curiosity, individual attention, close collaboration among faculty and students, and active learning in relevant field experiences. Oglethorpe joins theory and practice in its A_LAB (Atlanta Laboratory for Learning), an incubator for experiential learning through internships, study abroad, civic engagement, and undergraduate research. Under the leadership of President Lawrence Schall since 2005, Oglethorpe is in an unprecedented era of innovation and growth, evidenced by increased enrollment and philanthropic giving, and new strategic entrepreneurial partnerships. Since 2013, Oglethorpe has seen the addition of an award-winning campus center; a residential complex with six state-of-the-art classrooms; and the expansion of arts and athletics facilities. Oglethorpe's partnership venture with LeadAbroad has expanded its global footprint with the development of five global campuses in Barcelona, Cape Town, Greece, London, and Rome. In 2019, Oglethorpe will open the I.W. "Ike" Cousins Center for Science and Innovation and the Q. William Hammack, Jr. School of Business. In 2017, Oglethorpe received a $50 million gift commitment, the largest in its history, from alumnus Bill Hammack '73 to establish the Q. William Hammack, Jr. School of Business. Oglethorpe is home to the Conant Performing Arts Center, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, study abroad partner LeadAbroad, and the Piedmont School of Atlanta. The Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels compete in the NCAA Division III Southern Athletic Association. Website: oglethorpe.edu