W. Frank Fountain, senior vice president, external affairs
and public policy, DaimlerChrysler Corporation; and Mary
Kramer, publisher, Crain's Detroit Business, will be the
guest speakers at commencement ceremonies for Eastern Michigan
University Sunday, April 29, at the Convocation Center.
Fountain will speak at the 10 a.m. ceremony while Kramer
will speak at the 2 p.m. event. Each will receive an honorary
doctorate of humanities.
Commencement is a ticketed event for graduates and their
families.
 |
Fountain |
Fountain was appointed senior vice president of external
affairs and public policy for DaimlerChrysler Corporation
in 1998. Prior to the merger, he was vice president of
government relations for Chrysler Corporation since 1995.
Responsible for maintaining and coordinating DaimlerChrysler's
interface with state and local governments across the United
States, Fountain directs a staff which analyzes issues
that are important to the company and industry; develops
company positions; and presents topics of concern to all
levels of government. He also is responsible for coordinating
strategy on issues of interest to other domestic auto manufacturers.
A member of the board of directors for numerous business
and professional organizations, Fountain received a bachelor's
degree in history and political science from Hampton University
and a master's in business administration from the University
of Pennsylvania Wharton School.
Kramer is the publisher of Crain's Detroit Business, a
business publication with a circulation of more than 35,000
and a readership of nearly 150,000.
The Grand Rapids, Mich., native worked for daily newspapers
for 16 years before joining Crain's Detroit Business in
1989.
 |
Kramer |
In 1991, Kramer was named associate publisher, reporting
directly to Keith Crain, chairman of Crain Communications.
She was named vice president of Crain Communications, Inc.,
in 1994, and was named publisher in 2005.
Serving on several boards in the education and philanthropic
arenas, Kramer has received numerous awards and honors
for her civic involvement. Her honors include the 2003
Corporate Citizenship Award from Wayne State University;
the 2002 Distinguished Alumnae Award from Grand Valley
State University; the 2002 Founders Award from the Women's
Economic Club; the Neal Shine Award for Media Commitment
to Philanthropy from the Detroit Chapter of the Association
of Fundraising Professionals; and the 2001 Modeling the
Way Award from Leadership Detroit.
She has a bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State University
and has a degree from the Northwestern University Newspaper
Management Center.
Approximately 2,300 students are eligible to participate
during the two ceremonies. Five doctorates also will be
conferred.
Commencement ceremonies for the College of Arts and Sciences
and the College of Technology begin at 10 a.m. Doors open
at 8:30 a.m.
Ceremonies for the College of Business, College of Education
and College of Health and Human Services begin at 2 p.m.
Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
