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<p>Three to receive honorary degrees during IUPUI commencement</p>

Three to receive honorary degrees during IUPUI commencement

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana University will confer three honorary degrees during Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis’ commencement ceremony May 11. One will be awarded to a renowned philanthropist, and the other two will be presented to distinguished professors at IUPUI who are “living legends” in their fields.

IU President Michael A. McRobbie will confer Jean N. Case with the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Case is a renowned philanthropist, active investor and pioneer in the world of interactive technologies. Celebrated for her contributions to philanthropic causes around the globe, she has pioneered humanitarian efforts, championed civic engagement and launched new media strategies that have transformed the technology-for-good landscape.  Case’s unique approach to philanthropy emphasizes a giving voice and providing platforms for everyday citizens to excel and effect change in their own lives.

In 1997, Case and her husband, Steve Case, established the Case Foundation to support changemakers across the globe and find new approaches to solving challenging social problems. Over the years, the Case Foundation has given more than $100 million to nonprofits and social initiatives across the globe, leveraging new technologies, promoting cross-sector partnerships and exploring entrepreneurial approaches.

McRobbie will present honorary Doctor of Science degrees to Angela McBride and George Stookey.

A distinguished professor emerita of nursing and the university dean emerita of the Indiana University School of Nursing, McBride has been recognized as a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing.

After spending her early academic career on the faculty of Yale University, McBride came to Indiana University in 1978, joining the IU School of Nursing faculty as an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. Undertaking the post of university dean in 1992, McBride oversaw unprecedented growth and development of nursing programs on all eight campuses of Indiana University.

For her contributions, she has been honored with many awards, including the National League for Nursing’s President’s Award. In 2012, she received Indiana University’s President’s Medal for sustained academic excellence.

Long considered one of the IU School of Dentistry’s living legends, Stookey devoted his entire career as a scientist, academician and administrator to Indiana University. Stookey quickly emerged as a pioneering dental researcher in such areas of study as fluoride and the early detection of dental decay, turning the IU dental school’s Oral Health Research Institute into a global leader in preventive dentistry research and product testing.

His myriad roles at IU have also included service as the dental school’s interim dean, executive associate dean and associate dean for research.

IUPUI’s commencement ceremonies also will feature two student speakers: Blair Brown and Emily Potts.

Brown earned his Bachelor of Science in criminal justice degree with a concentration in public safety management at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Potts studied biology and Spanish in the Purdue School of Science and the IU School of Liberal Arts, respectively.