US Ambassador is Speaker at 100th Commencement Exercises
United States Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Harry K. Thomas, Jr. is the Speaker of the 100th Commencement Exercises of Silliman University.
He addresses this year’s graduating batch of around a thousand on March 24, Sunday, 3PM at the Gymnasium.
The Ambassador assumed his post at the US Embassy in Manila in April 2010. Prior to his assignment in the Philippines, he was Director General of the Foreign Service and Director for Human Resources of the US State Department. He also served as Special Assistant to the Secretary and as Executive Secretary of the State Department. During his term as Executive Secretary, he led the State Department Task Force that resulted in the safe evacuation of over 15,000 people from Lebanon in the fall of 2006.
A member of the Senior Foreign Service who started his career as a diplomat in 1984, the Ambassador has held diplomatic posts in Bangladesh, India, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Peru. He speaks Spanish, Hindi and Bangla, and is learning Filipino.
The Ambassador obtained his bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts and pursued further studies at the Columbia University in New York. He holds an honorary doctorate of Philosophy from the Loyola University of Maryland.
Meanwhile, Rev. Jonathan R. Pia, Senior Minister of the Silliman University Church will deliver the sermon during the Baccalaureate Service in the morning of the same day.
GRADUATION SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2013
8:30 A.M. University Baccalaureate Service SU Church
Message by: REY. JONATHAN R. PIA
Senior Minister, Silliman University Church
3:00 P.M. University Commencement Exercises SU Gymnasium
Address by: His Excellency HARRY K. THOMAS, JR.
United States of America Ambassador to the Philippines
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2013
8:30 A.M. Early Childhood Dedication Service SU Church
Message by: MRS. JAN ELLEN D. CALUNSAG
Member, Board of Elders, Silliman University Church
3:00 P.M. Early Childhood Closing Exercises Luce Auditorium
Message by: MRS. GLYNDA T. DESCUATAN
Visayas Manager, Sky Cable Airtime
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2013
8:30 A.M. Elementary Dedication Service SU Church
Message by: ATTY. JOSHUA FRANCISCO J. ABLONG
SUES Batch '96, Legal Researcher, Office of the University Legal Counsel
Silliman University
3:00 P.M. Elementary Closing Exercises Luce Auditorium
Message by: ATTY.RAMON ANTONIO A. RUPERTO
SUES Batch '96, Associate, Ruperto Law Office
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013
8:30 A.M. High School Dedication Service SU Church
Message by: REV. JEREMIAS M. LAGAHIT
Minister for Student Ministry and Campus Chaplaincy
Silliman University Church
3:00 P.M. High School Graduation Luce Auditorium
Message by: MR. RAYMUND A. SANCHEZ
High School Class 1987
Vice President. Getz Bros. Philippines, Inc.
