CWRU to honor more than 2,000 graduates, three honorary degree recipients at commencement May 20

Case Western Reserve University will celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of more than 2,000 graduating students during commencement Sunday, May 20. In addition to the Class of 2018, the university will recognize three individuals for their lifetime achievements with honorary degrees. Honorary degrees from Case Western Reserve recognize "excellence in any valued aspect of human endeavor, including the realm of scholarship, public service, and the performing arts." (Faculty Handbook, 3, III.X) This year’s honorary degree recipients are:

François-Philippe Champagne

Doctor of Laws François-Philippe Champagne (LAW ’94) is a businessman, lawyer and international trade specialist with more than 20 years of experience in large international companies such as ABB Group, a cutting-edge technology company that operates in more than 100 countries, and AMEC, a world leader in the energy sector. In 2009, Champagne was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and elected the Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice-Champlain in October 2015. Soon after, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance of Canada, a position he held until January 2017, when he was appointed Minister of International Trade of Canada by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

Delos “Toby” Cosgrove

Doctor of Science Toby Cosgrove, MD, is former CEO and president of Cleveland Clinic, serving from 2004 through 2017. He led the $8 billion organization to new heights of achievement and efficiency, including being ranked the No. 2 hospital in America (U.S. News & World Report). He now serves as executive advisor, working with Cleveland Clinic leadership on strategies for national and international growth. Joining Cleveland Clinic in 1975, Cosgrove was named chair of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in 1989. Under his leadership, Cleveland Clinic’s heart program was ranked No. 1 in America for 10 years in a row (U.S. News & World Report), a ranking it has maintained for 23 consecutive years.

Anne S. Pruitt-Logan

Doctor of Humane Letters Emerita trustee and former professor of education Anne S. Pruitt-Logan taught at Case Western Reserve for 15 years, serving as director of counseling at Mather College (1970-72) and assistant director of career planning at the Center for Student Development (1973). She also is professor emerita of educational policy and leadership at Ohio State University, where she joined in 1979, and served as associate dean of the Graduate School, associate provost and director of the Center for Teaching Excellence. Pruitt-Logan dedicated her career to teaching and guidance—expanding the nation’s human capital by improving access to education for under-served populations. Among her leadership roles, she served as president of the American College Personnel Association (1976-77) and co-director of the nationwide Preparing Future Faculty Program.