Olivet Nazarene University announces 2017 Commencement speakers

Computer engineering executive to speak at undergraduate Commencement

Bourbonnais, IL (04/13/2017) — Dr. Shannon Bradshaw, an Olivet Nazarene University alumnus and vice president of education for MongoDB, Inc., is the keynote speaker for Olivet's 104th undergraduate Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 6, at 9:30 a.m., in the University's Betty and Kenneth Hawkins Centennial Chapel.

Dr. Bradshaw is a 1994 Olivet graduate who holds B.S., S.M. and Ph.D. degrees in computer science. At MongoDB - a software company dual-headquartered in New York City and Palo Alto, California - he leads a team of engineers responsible for MongoDB's online training portal, mobile apps for learning, and MongoDB documentation, which together serve more than 4 million users. He is also the author of the forthcoming book from O'Reilly Media, MongoDB: The Definitive Guide, 3rd Edition.

Additionally, Dr. Bradshaw helps direct MongoDB's involvement in New York City's CS4All initiative to bring computer science education to all 1.1 million NYC public school students.

"Olivet Nazarene University provided me not only the foundation for a career in computer science, but also lasting relationships that have shaped who I am today," Dr. Bradshaw said. "In so many ways, I continue to receive the benefits of my undergraduate education. It is an enormous honor be the keynote speaker for the 2017 Commencement."

Prior to joining MongoDB, Dr. Bradshaw was associate professor and chair of computer science at Drew University. As an academic, his published research in the areas of information science and human-information interaction. This work was funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). While at Drew University, he also regularly consulted with Wall St. firms on information and data analytics projects.

During the undergraduate Commencement ceremony, several students and faculty members will receive special awards, and two honorary doctorate degrees will be presented.

Olivet's School of Graduate and Continuing Studies will also conduct Commencement ceremonies in the chapel on May 6. That ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. and features the Commencement address from Dr. John C. Bowling, University president. Student, faculty and dissertation awards will be presented.

For additional Commencement activities, click here to view the complete schedule.

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 140 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership. Olivet's 275-acre park-like main campus is in Bourbonnais, Illinois, 50 miles south of Chicago. Additional sites are in Rolling Meadows and Oak Brook, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Grand Rapids and Grand Ledge, Michigan; Hong Kong; and more than 100 School of Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. From Oxford to Tokyo, hundreds of Olivet students also experience the global classroom each year through study abroad opportunities, internships and worldwide mission trips.

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Contact:
Laura Warfel
Public Relations Specialist
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Olivet.edu
815-928-5403
lwwarfel@olivet.edu

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