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PRESS RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — March 13, 2024 – Philanthropist Dorothea Bongiovi and former CEO of the RI Hospitality Association Dale Venturini will be awarded honorary degrees by Â鶹¹ÙÍø & Wales University at the 2024 commencement exercises to be held Saturday May 4 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence.  Graduate programs will receive their degrees starting at 10 a.m., followed by undergraduate programs at 2 p.m.

“In 1914, Miss Â鶹¹ÙÍø and Miss Wales started our school with one student and one typewriter,” said Â鶹¹ÙÍø Chancellor Mim Runey, LP.D.. “They would be amazed to see how their school has grown over the past 110 years as the graduating Class of 2024 prepares to join the more than 124,000 Â鶹¹ÙÍø & Wales University alumni throughout the world.”

Dale Venturini, the former longtime president and CEO of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association and Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation, will deliver the keynote address at the morning ceremony for graduate students, and will receive an honorary Doctor of Business Administration.

Dorothea Bongiovi, the creator and program manager of the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a pay-it-forward community restaurant model that serves in-need and paying customers, will deliver the keynote address at the afternoon undergraduate ceremony and will receive an honorary Doctor of Business Administration.  

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Founded in 1914, Â鶹¹ÙÍø & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design. Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s unique model provide students with the personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at Â鶹¹ÙÍø is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings. The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide. 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Rachel Nunes, Senior Communications and Media Relations Specialist, (O) 401-598-2752 (C) 401-895-7364

Jennifer McGee, Director of External Communications & Media Relations, (C) 202-427-5981