PALO ALTO, Calif.--()--Palo Alto University (PAU),
a private non-profit higher education institution, announced today the
speakers for its graduation ceremonies. Stanford
University professor Laura Roberts, M.D., M.A. will address PAU’s
Ph.D. and Psy.D. students on June 8. Two weeks later, investor Tad
Taube, and Palo Alto High School teacher Ms.
Esther Wojciki will both deliver commencement addresses to PAU’s
Masters and Undergraduate students on June 22.
“PAU is incredibly proud to have in our own backyard such esteemed
individuals who will certainly inspire our students to do their best in
life, both professionally and personally”
“PAU is incredibly proud to have in our own backyard such esteemed
individuals who will certainly inspire our students to do their best in
life, both professionally and personally,” said PAU President Allen
Calvin, Ph.D. “Our three commencement speakers have collectively made
significant contributions to the local and national communities that
range from medical research and academic instruction to civic service
and philanthropy.”
Ph.D. and Psy.D. Programs Commencement Speaker
On June 8, Stanford University School of Medicine’s department chair Dr.
Laura Roberts, will address PAU’s Doctor of Psychology and Doctor of
Philosophy graduates. Dr. Roberts serves as the Chairman and Katharine
Dexter McCormick and Stanley McCormick Memorial Professor in the
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. A nationally renowned
scholar and leader in ethics, psychiatry, and medical education, Dr.
Roberts has authored or edited ten books and monographs, over 35 book
chapters, and more than 225 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and
currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Academic Psychiatry.
Dr. Roberts has conducted numerous empirical studies of contemporary
ethics issues in medicine, science, and health policy, including
research on informed consent, ethical considerations in genetic inquiry,
health care and clinical investigation involving members of vulnerable
populations, death and dying, professionalism education and more. A
recipient of the Association for Academic Psychiatry’s Lifetime
Achievement Award, Dr. Roberts earned her undergraduate, graduate, and
fellowship training at the University of Chicago and her residency
training at the University of New Mexico.
Masters and Undergraduate Programs Commencement
Speakers
The first commencement speaker at the June 22 ceremony will be
successful business leader and philanthropist, the Honorable Tad Taube.
Mr. Taube is the Chairman and Founder of Woodmont companies, a
diversified real estate investment and management organization, and he
serves as the President of the Koret Foundation, Chairman of Taube
Philanthropies and Chair of PAU’s Advisory Council. With a passion for
business, philanthropy and sports, Mr. Taube has been a generous
supporter of the community, both locally and internationally. In the Bay
Area, his philanthropic impact spans from civic and cultural
organizations to educational institutions to programs that support
engagement in Jewish life. At his alma mater, Stanford University, Mr.
Taube is founder and Advisory Board Chair of the Taube Center for Jewish
Studies, a member of the Hoover Institution Board of Overseers and
founder of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR).
His involvement in Stanford Athletics includes a principal gift to
Stanford's Taube Family Tennis Stadium, substantial support of the new
football stadium, and past chair of the Stanford Athletic Board. Mr.
Taube was a founder of the United States Football League (USFL) in 1982
and was principal owner of the Oakland Invaders football franchise.
A former officer in the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Taube has earned a number of
service awards, including Poland’s highest civilian medal, the
Commander’s Cross in 2004 and later was named Honorary Consul for the
San Francisco peninsula region in 2007. Mr. Taube earned his B.S. and
M.S. degrees from Stanford University, and holds an honorary doctorate
degree from the Pacific School of Psychology. For more information,
please see: www.koret.org
and www.taubephilanthropies.org.
PAU’s other speaker that day, Ms. Wojcicki, is well known in the Palo
Alto Community for her role as an English/Journalism teacher at Palo
Alto High School. Almost 30 years ago, she started with a program of
just 20 students in the journalism program, and has grown it to more
than 500 students today, making it one of the largest in the nation.
Over the past two decades, her five award-winning student run
publications have won Gold and Silver Crowns from Columbia Scholastic
Press Association, the PaceMaker Award and Hall of Fame Award from National
Scholastic Press, and best in national from Time Magazine in
2003.
In addition to her career in academics, Ms. Wojcicki is also President
of the Friends
of the Lurdes Mutola Foundation to support girls' education in
Mozambique and a consultant for Carnegie
Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Hewlett
Foundation. She also serves as Vice Chair of Creative
Commons, an organization that enables the sharing and use of
creativity and knowledge, and Chair of PBS
Learning Matters, a media production company that produces
documentaries and reports for PBS
NewsHour. Ms. Wojciki is also on the Advisory Board for University
of the People.
PAU’s Ph.D. and Psy.D. Programs graduation ceremonies will occur on June
8 at Stanford’s Frances
C. Arrillaga Alumni Center, McCaw Hall and Fisher Conference Hall,
326 Galvez Street, Stanford, Calif. PAU’s Masters and Undergraduate
Programs ceremonies will take place on June 22 at 10:00am at De
Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, Calif. All
questions about commencement ceremonies may be directed to William
Froming, Ph.D.
About Palo Alto University
Founded in 1975 as the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Palo Alto
University (PAU)
is dedicated to improving lives through education and research anchored
in psychology, clinical training and practice in a diversity of
cultures, and service to communities around the world. PAU offers seven
degree programs, ranging from Bachelor level to Ph.D., including a
consortium with Stanford University and a Ph.D./J.D. dual degree program
with Golden Gate University. The University’s faculty is ranked among
the top 25 schools and universities for research productivity out of the
166 APA-accredited clinical psychology Ph.D. programs. Through the
University's Gronowski
Center, PAU offers mental health services to the community at-large
regardless of ability to pay. PAU is a 501(c)(3), non-profit institution.