Commencement - Class of 2020

Speakers Dr. Daniel Haxall is a professor of art history and chair of the Department of Art at KU. Haxall publishes on diverse topics in contemporary art, including abstract expressionism, collage, the African diaspora and intersection of art and sport. He has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed essays and exhibition catalogs. Haxall has presented his work nationally at venues including Harvard Uni- versity, the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University, Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Gallery of Art. He has also presented internation- ally in Canada, England, Spain and Switzerland. Haxall previously taught at the University at Buffalo (SUNY) and Penn State University. He is a former fellow at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Institute for the Arts and Humani- ties, and currently serves on the Collections Committee for the Allentown Art Museum. Haxall earned a Bachelor of Arts in art and art history from Villanova Univer- sity and went on to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in art history from Penn State University. Dr. Nathaniel J. Williams is receiving an honorary doctor of humane letters this evening. Williams is a noted author, lecturer, entrepreneur and an international motivational and keynote speaker. He is the president, chief executive officer and founder of HumanWorks Affiliates, Inc., a cluster of eight organizations that has provided direct social services and management support to social service agencies for the last 28 years. Throughout his career, Williams has provided leadership in support of initiatives that benefit diverse community members. One of those organizations, ChildPromise, Inc., partnered with Kutztown University to present a one-of-a- kind support program for students who are current or former members of the foster care system. The KU PROFS program, Providing Resources and Opportunities for Future Standouts, provides college access programs, graduate assistants that serve as mentors/success coaches, college preparatory and financial knowledge workshops for high school students, and connects KU PROFS students to the campus resources that will help them succeed. This joint effort encourages students to reach their potential and be a positive example for others who have also gone through the system. Williams possesses five graduate degrees: a Master of Human Services from Lincoln University; a Master of Public Administration from Cheyney University; a Master of Business Administration from Strayer University, a Doctor in Education from Fielding Graduate University and a Doctor of Social Work from University of Southern California. He is the author of nine books, serves on diverse boards and committees and has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses. He believes that education affords people the opportunity to overcome life’s challenges.