University Of La Verne Announces Keynote Speaker For Spring 2018

LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne has announced their keynote speaker for the Spring 2018 Commencement ceremonies.

Art Acevedo, chief of the 5,200-officer Houston Police Department, will speak to the graduating class on Saturday, June 2, and Sunday, June 3.

Acevedo, who received a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the university in 2005, was sworn in as Houston police chief in November 2016. He is the first Latino to serve as police chief in Houston, the fourth-most populous city in the United States.

In 2017, Acevedo led the city through Hurricane Harvey, the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. He credits his officers and staff with rescuing more than 6,500 people as the hurricane transformed the city into a series of islands. The chief drew on lessons he learned at the University of La Verne – earning, building, and keeping public trust – throughout the storm.

Born in Cuba, Acevedo was 4-years-old when he came to the U.S. with his family in 1968. He grew up in California and began his law enforcement career in 1986 as field patrol officer in East Los Angeles with the California Highway Patrol. He became chief of the California Highway Patrol in 2005. Prior to Houston, he served nine years as chief of the Austin, Texas Police Department.

Acevedo holds leadership positions with the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

More than 1,200 University of La Verne students are expected to graduate, and hundreds will attend the ceremonies at Campus West and Morgan Auditorium.

The ceremonies honor undergraduate and graduate candidates from the university’s main campus, regional campuses, online, and off-campus programs.

Ceremonies at Campus West on Saturday will be at 9:30 a.m. for the College of Arts and Sciences and 4:30 p.m. for the College of Business and Public Management. A ceremony for LaFetra College of Education doctoral graduates will be at 1 p.m. in Morgan Auditorium. Remaining LaFetra College of Education students will participate in commencement at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Campus West.

Information: https://sites.laverne.edu/commencement-spring/

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