Bentley University Announces Speakers for 2017 Commencement Ceremonies

PR Newswire

WALTHAM, Mass., May 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bentley University's undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

David H. Long, chairman and chief executive officer of Boston-based Liberty Mutual Insurance, a leading global insurer, will deliver the commencement address to approximately 1,000 students at Bentley's 98^thannual undergraduate ceremony. Long will receive an honorary doctor of commercial science degree at the ceremony.

Micho Fernandez Spring, chair of the Global Corporate Practice and New England region of Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global public relations firms, will deliver the address at the Bentley University McCallum Graduate School of Business' 42^nd annual commencement ceremony. Spring will receive an honorary doctor of commercial science degree.

"David and Micho are perfect honorees for Bentley's Centennial year and I'm excited to hear both share their personal stories and keys to a lifetime of success," said Bentley President Gloria Cordes Larson. "After coming to America from Liverpool for college, David climbed the ladder at Liberty Mutual from analyst to CEO by realizing the full potential of people with whom he worked. His career has embodied the ideal leadership we preach to our students, and it's no wonder that hundreds of Bentley alumni have gone on to work at Liberty Mutual after graduation.

"Micho Spring's inspiring story is one that all of our students can admire," Larson said. "After fleeing Cuba with her family in 1960, Micho is now at the helm of a company ranked in 2015 by the Commonwealth Institute as the number one women-led business in Massachusetts, a lesson in the persistence, dedication and resolve of a brilliant woman who blazed new trails for others to follow. Her lifelong commitment to civic engagement sets a tremendous example for our students of the value of a fulfilling career and life."

About David H. Long

Long joined Liberty Mutual in 1985 and has held positions in the company's International Operations, Commercial Markets, Underwriting and Financial, and Mergers and Acquisitions divisions. His guiding philosophy, "never get comfortable," has given Liberty Mutual claim to $39.6 billion in revenue, more than 50,000 employees and 900 offices worldwide. But his favorite investment, by far, is in people. Long has spent a career recruiting talent across the lines of gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin. He has cultivated a workplace culture that values diversity, fosters mutual respect, and welcomes good ideas from every business sector. He has also grown Liberty Mutual philanthropic giving by an average of 18% annually since becoming CEO. See his full bio here.

About Micho Fernandez Spring

Spring leads Weber Shandwick's Global Corporate Practice and chairs the company's New England region. Her practice focuses on enabling corporate clients to use communications to support their business strategies, enhance and protect their reputation, and respond to public policy challenges. As a government, civic and business leader, Spring has helped shape public debate on numerous issues in Boston and beyond. On multiple occasions she has been named one of the "20 Most Powerful Women in Boston" by Boston Magazine. In 2014 Spring was named to the Boston Business Journal Power 50 list and, under her leadership, in 2015 Weber Shandwick ranked first on the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe Magazine and The Commonwealth Institute. See her full bio here.

Commencement Information

Bentley's 2017 commencement will take place on the university's south campus. The undergraduate ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. The graduate ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. Both ceremonies are held under the tent on the football field. Indoor viewing on a large monitor will be available in the Dana Athletic Center and the ceremonies will be held rain or shine. Buses will run from the parking lots on the main campus to the south campus. More details can be found on the Bentley University web site: http://www.bentley.edu/events/commencement

Bentley University Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Bentley University) (PRNewsFoto/)