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Get the most interesting and important stories from the University of Pittsburgh.Two notable University of Pittsburgh alumni will each address a graduating class at this year’s commencement ceremonies, which will honor both the Class of 2022 and the Class of 2020.
Here’s who’s speaking and who will receive honorary degrees during the celebrations.
ESPN’s Louis Riddick
On Sunday, May 1, at 2 p.m. in the Petersen Events Center, Louis Riddick (A&S ’91) will speak to the undergraduate members of the Class of 2022.
During his time at Pitt, Riddick was a four-year letterman, two-time Academic All-American and team captain his senior season. He graduated with a degree in economics from the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and has often returned to the University’s Pittsburgh campus to support Pitt Athletics, including serving as a keynote speaker for the 2018 Pitt Football Kickoff Luncheon.
Riddick has been both a studio and live event analyst for ESPN, including as part of the network’s annual NFL Draft production and calling Monday Night Football. He regularly appears on studio shows such as “NFL Live,” “SportsCenter,” “Get Up” and “First Take” throughout the year, and is a staple at marquee events such as Super Bowl Week, NFL Scouting Combine and more.
A respected media personality, executive leader and proud alum, Riddick embodies post-graduate excellence that routinely puts the University of Pittsburgh before a national audience.
Homeland Security leader Mary Ellen Callahan
On Saturday, April 30, at 4 p.m. in the Petersen Events Center, Mary Ellen Callahan (A&S ’90) will speak to undergraduate and graduate members of the Class of 2020 in a rescheduled in-person ceremony.
Callahan, a nationally recognized privacy attorney, has unique and broad experience at the interface of privacy protection with cybersecurity and national security.
She joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2009 as chief privacy officer of the first statutorily required privacy office in any federal agency. Callahan also served as Chief Freedom of Information Act Officer. In her dual capacity, she was responsible for carrying out the Privacy Office’s mission to protect all individuals by embedding and enforcing privacy protections and transparency in all Department of Homeland Security activities.
After her stint in the federal government, Callahan founded and chaired Jenner & Block's Privacy and Information Governance Practice and served as an assistant general counsel-privacy to The Walt Disney Company.
In 2021, she returned to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to become the chief of staff for Deputy Secretary John Tien.
Callahan is a proud and passionate supporter of Pitt, notably the University Honors College, where she endowed an undergraduate research fund and has chaired the Board of Visitors. She has been a trustee since 2010 and is currently the vice chair of the University’s Board of Trustees and is exercising the duties of the chair of the Board of Trustees.
Honorary degrees announced
Lauren Underwood will receive an honorary Doctor of Nursing degree for distinguished service in the field of policy during the 2022 ceremony.
Thaddeus Mosley (A&S ’50) will receive an honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters degree for distinguished service in the field of sculpture during the 2022 ceremony.
Georges C. Benjamin (PHARM ’40) will receive an honorary Doctor of Population Health degree for distinguished service in the field of public health, on Sunday, May 1, at 5 p.m. in the Carnegie Music Hall as part of the 2022 School of Public Health commencement.
Everything you need to know about commencement
Visit Pitt’s commencement website to find everything you need to know about the Class of 2022 and 2020, including how to get your academic regalia, ceremony details, downloadable graphics and much more.