Newswise — Nicholas P. Negroponte, co-founder of the MIT Media Laboratory and creator of One Laptop per Child (OLPC), will deliver the commencement address to approximately 2,200 Northeastern University undergraduate students on Saturday, May 5 at 10 a.m. in Boston's TD Banknorth Garden. Approximately 15,000 people are expected to attend.
Mr. Negroponte, who will receive an honorary doctorate of public service, helped create MIT's Media Laboratory in 1980. The Laboratory facilitates the interdisciplinary study and application of digital technologies, with the goal of changing how people think and communicate.
His non-profit, One Laptop per Child " which he developed at MIT " produces and distributes low-cost, self-charging laptop computers to children in developing and impoverished nations who have minimal access to modern education and infrastructure.
Negroponte wrote the best-selling book, "Being Digital," and has provided start-up funding for more than 40 companies, including Wired magazine. He also serves on several corporate boards, including Motorola and Ambient Devices. Negroponte received his bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture from MIT, and joined the Institute's faculty in 1966.
Additional honorary degree recipients at the morning ceremony will be engineering innovator and philanthropist Bernard M. Gordon, founder and chairman of Analogic Corporation, who will receive a doctorate of science, and University of Illinois at Chicago Chancellor Dr. Sylvia Manning, who will receive a doctorate of humane letters.
Following the morning ceremony, an afternoon commencement ceremony for approximately 900 graduate students and adult learners will take place at 3:15 p.m. in Matthews Arena. The speaker will be Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, Professor of Public Health Practice and Associate Dean for Faculty Development at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Dr. Prothrow-Stith is nationally recognized for her research on violence prevention. As Massachusetts' first female public health commissioner, she established the first Office of Violence Prevention in a statewide department of public health. During her tenure, she also expanded programs for HIV and AIDS prevention, as well as drug treatment and rehabilitation.
Honorary degree recipients at the afternoon ceremony will include philanthropist and chemical engineering leader George J. Kostas, founder of Techno-Economic Services, Inc., who will receive a doctorate of science, and Northeastern trustee George W. Chamillard, former CEO and chairman of Teradyne, Inc., who will receive a doctorate of business administration.
Please Note: Reporters should take the east entrance to the floor of the TD Banknorth Garden, and will have to go through security and show their credentials and ID. Media passes/badges will not be required once through security. A press table will be located to the right of the stage.
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