Surgeon general, ABC Entertainment president, business leaders among UCLA commencement speakers

The university expects to confer more than 12,600 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees for the 2015-2016 school year, including 7,800 earned this spring. In all, graduating students and guests will attend more than 50 commencement ceremonies, receptions and celebrations, which continue through June 12, at venues across the Westwood campus, including the Phi Beta Kappa initiation, a Lavender Graduation celebration for LGBT students and their families, an Army commissioning, and a ceremony for students who are parents. Six of the largest commencement ceremonies take place June 10, when approximately 30,000 guests are expected.

UCLA’s largest commencement is for the UCLA College, and takes place during two ceremonies at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, June 10 at Pauley Pavilion. Alumnus Laurence D. Fink, regarded as one of the most influential individuals in business and finance and the chairman and CEO of BlackRock, will deliver the keynote address to graduating seniors, their families and friends. Fink was awarded the UCLA Medal, the university’s highest honor, in March.

Other speakers of note include:

Murthy, who cofounded VISIONS, an HIV/AIDS education program in India and the United States, and the software technology company TrialNetworks, now an international enterprise that powers clinical trials for more than 50,000 patients in more than 75 countries. Murthy will speak June 3 at the Hippocratic Oath ceremony for students graduating from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Dungey, president of ABC Entertainment, is the first black president of a major broadcast TV network and previously oversaw the development of powerhouse shows such as “Scandal.” Dungey is scheduled to speak June 10 at the graduation for the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.

Solis is former U.S. labor secretary and now a Los Angeles County supervisor. She will deliver her remarks during the commencement ceremonies for the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs also on June 10. Solis is a nationally recognized leader on the environment and was also a California congresswoman.

For information about the ceremonies, including updates and details for specific schools and programs, visit UCLA Commencement. In addition to the School of Law graduation, which featured Goodwin Liu, associate justice of the California Supreme Court, speaking May 13, UCLA’s degree-granting commencement ceremonies and speakers include:

Friday, June 3

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy will speak at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Hippocratic Oath ceremony at 5 p.m. in Dickson Court North (map). 

Sunday, June 5

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block will speak at the School of Dentistry ceremony at 10 a.m. in Royce Hall (map).

Thursday, June 9

Robin Garrell, vice provost and dean of the Graduate Division, will speak at the division’s Doctoral Hooding at 3 p.m. in Royce Hall (map).

Friday, June 10

Hilda Solis, a Los Angeles County supervisor and U.S. labor secretary from 2009-2013, will speak at the Luskin School of Public Affairs ceremony at 9 a.m. in Royce Hall (map).

Channing Dungey, the president of ABC Entertainment and the first black president of a major broadcast TV network, will speak at the School of Theater, Film and Television ceremony at 2 p.m. in Royce Hall (map).

Laurence D. Fink, regarded as one of the most influential individuals in business and finance and the chairman and CEO of BlackRock, will speak at the UCLA College commencement ceremonies at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion (map)

Mitch Kupchak, the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, will speak at the Anderson School of Management (where he earned his M.B.A.) ceremony at 4 p.m. in Wilson Plaza (map).

Dr. Robert Ross, the president and CEO of the statewide private health foundation the California Endowment and former director of the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, will speak at the Fielding School of Public Health ceremony at 5:30 p.m. in Royce Hall (map).

Saturday, June 11

Thomas Kennedy, alumnus and CEO and chairman of defense technology leader Raytheon, will speak at the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science ceremony at 12:30 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion (map).

Marcelo Su?rez-Orozco, dean of the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, will speak at the school’s ceremony at 4 p.m. in Wilson Plaza (map).

Danielle Brazell, general manager of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and former executive director of Arts for LA, will speak at the School of the Arts and Architecture at 4 p.m. in Dickson Court North (map). 

Linda Burnes Bolton, alumna and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s vice president for nursing and chief nursing officer, will speak at the School of Nursing ceremony at 8:30 a.m. in Royce Hall (map).