Two distinguished University of Houston alumni and two Houston leaders, including Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, will bring words of wisdom to students at this year’s fall commencement ceremonies.

Eckels, the presiding judge over Harris County Commissioners Court, will address College of Technology students at 4 p.m. Dec. 16 at Hofheinz Pavilion. At 1 p.m. that same day, alumnus Charles E. Jones will speak at the Cullen College of Engineering ceremony, which also will be held at Hofheinz Pavilion. Jones is the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Hydril Company LP, a worldwide engineering and manufacturing company of premium connections and pressure control products for oil and gas drilling.

Another alumnus, Bill Gedwed, will deliver remarks at the C.T. Bauer College of Business ceremonies for graduate students at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at Cullen Performance Hall. Gedwed is chairman, president and CEO of UICI, a leading risk management firm. Undergraduate business students will hear from Jim Edmonds, chairman of the Port of Houston Authority Board of Commissioners, at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at Hofheinz Pavilion.

The Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management’s (HRM) commencement will begin at
10 a.m. Dec. 16 in the Hilton University of Houston Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. HRM students will hear from Don Pratt, alumnus and president of the southwest region of the Glazer’s Family of Companies, marketers of fine wines and malts.

Commencement week will kick off at 9 a.m. Dec. 16 with the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS). The college will hold its graduation ceremonies in Hofheinz Pavilion. The College of Education’s ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. Dec. 17 at Hofheinz Pavilion.

Francine Parker
fparker@central.uh.edu