Union College Announces Commencement Speaker

Aaron Thompson, Ph.D., will be the featured speaker and honorary degree recipient at Union College's Commencement on May 7.

Aaron Thompson, Ph.D., has been chosen as the featured speaker and honorary degree recipient for Union College's 2011 Commencement ceremony.

This year's Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 7, at 10:30 a.m. in Union's Robsion Arena. Dr. Thompson will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

Dr. Thompson is Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs for the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPEP). Prior to joining the CPE, Dr. Thompson served as professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and sociology at EKU, and both a master's and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Kentucky. His research interests and activities include work, gender and inequality, organizational behavior, stratification, and race and ethnic relations.

In addition to 17 years on faculty at EKU, Dr. Thompson has also taught at the University of Missouri, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Kentucky, Vermont College and Lexington Community College.

Dr. Thompson's extraordinary career encompasses decades of experience in academia, including teaching, research, publication and high-level administrative appointments; in business, as owner or co-owner of two consulting firms; and in civic engagement, as an active volunteer, community leader and speaker.

In the academic arena, Dr. Thompson has held the posts of associate vice president for academic affairs, associate vice president for academic affairs and research-enrollment management, assistant vice president for academic affairs, executive director of the Student Success Institute, acting director of academic advising and academic testing, and coordinator of academic success and retention. An active researcher and writer, Dr. Thompson has authored and co-authored dozens of journal articles, books, book chapters and book reviews. His work spans such topics as engaging students, rural schools and communities, the African-American family and diversity in education.

Dr. Thompson has worked as a professional consultant with numerous educational institutions, law enforcement organizations, municipalities, non-profit organizations, businesses and other workplaces. He is the owner of Cultural Awareness Associates and a co-owner of Ripple Effects Resources. Both provide training, consulting, seminars, workshops or assessments in all areas of diversity, cultural awareness and competence, ethics, leadership, organizational management and strategic planning.

His expertise makes him a valuable community partner. Dr. Thompson has given his time to a great many non-profit organizations, including the Kentucky Humanities Council, Habitat for Humanity, the United Way, the Governor's Literacy Project, Pattie A. Clay Hospital and the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center. Also in demand as a speaker, Dr. Thompson has delivered a staggering number of public presentations or speeches in settings throughout Kentucky and in other parts of the country.

Dr. Thompson's honors include the EKU College of Education Service Award, the Richmond (Kentucky) Annual Unity Award, the Provost's Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award, the Outstanding Faculty Member Award, and an Award for Excellence presented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for his manuscript, "Community Diversity Issues: Strategies for a Comprehensive Multicultural Framework." He is a member of the EKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

Union College's annual Commencement ceremony is open to the public. For more information, contact Union at 606-546-4151.

April 19, 2011

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