President Paul Brown announced on April 25 that Congressman Rush D. Holt, Jr. of New Jersey’s 12th District will be the keynote speaker at the 2014 Spring Commencement. More than 1,000 graduating students will participate in the ceremony which will be held on Wednesday, May 21, at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ.
Congressman Holt, a five-time “Jeopardy” champion who holds a Ph.D. in Physics and a patent for a solar energy device, has represented central New Jersey since 1999. Representative Holt serves on the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Natural Resources, where he is the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources developing long-term strategies to decrease dependence on fossil fuels.
“Representative Holt is an ideal choice to receive an honorary doctorate of Science from Monmouth University,” President Brown said. “He has consistently pushed for more money for scientific research and better science education,” he added. Dr. Brown also noted that Monmouth has made a strong commitment to strengthen the University’s science programs and facilities, including a significant $40 million renovation of the School of Science buildings.
The New York Times describes Holt as Congress’s chief advocate for scientific research over his eight terms. He has been honored as the Biotech Legislator of the Year and with The Science Coalition’s Champion of Science award. Scientific-American magazine has also named Holt one of the 50 national “visionaries” contributing to “a brighter technological future.”
The 2014 Spring Commencement will be the second graduation ceremony for President Brown and the first since his formal inauguration on April 10, 2014.
