Jersey City, N.J. – April 16, 2018 – Saint Peter’s University today announced that Denise Morrison, president and chief executive officer of Campbell Soup Company, will address the Class of 2018 at the 127th commencement exercises for the University on Monday, May 21. Morrison will also receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa. In addition, the University will bestow an honorary degree upon John B. Wilson ’70, president and chief executive officer of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of New Jersey (AICUNJ), and president of the Independent College Fund of New Jersey (ICFNJ).
Morrison has a distinguished track record of building strong businesses and growing iconic brands. She became the CEO of Campbell Soup Company in 2011, after more than eight years with the company and more than 30 years in the food business. As the 12th leader in the company’s 149-year history, Morrison is maintaining Campbell’s commitment to strengthening its core business while expanding into faster-growing spaces to become the leading health and well-being food company. She serves as a board member for The Consumer Goods Forum, MetLife, Inc., Catalyst, the Food Marketing Institute, and her alma mater, Boston College, and served on President Obama’s Export Council. She is consistently ranked among Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. Morrison’s connection to Saint Peter’s began with her father Dennis J. Sullivan, Jr. who was a member of the Class of 1953.
“Our commencement exercises serve as the final opportunity to motivate and inspire our students before they set out into the world and this is why we are so grateful to have a distinguished speaker like Denise Morrison,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University. “Morrison has broken barriers as the first female CEO of Campbell Soup Company and has established herself as a leader in her industry. Our community looks forward to hearing the words of wisdom that she will share in her commencement address.”
The second honorary degree recipient, Wilson works tirelessly to raise funds that support scholarships and academic programs at New Jersey’s independent colleges and universities. During his 28-year tenure with ICFNJ, the organization has raised and distributed more than $46 million to advance the futures of students through scholarships and institutional support for the operating budgets of its members. Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Saint Peter’s, a master’s degree in business administration from Rutgers Business School and a law degree from Seton Hall University. He served as director of athletics and vice president of development at Saint Peter’s for 16 years, and assistant vice president of Seton Hall for five years, directing campaigns that collectively added more than $35 million to the infrastructure of those institutions.
The commencement ceremony for Saint Peter’s University will be held at the PNC Bank Arts Center at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 21.
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Saint Peter’s University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment.
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