Christopher Gardner To Speak at HU Commencement
Gardner, Howard U. Pres. H. Patrick Swygert to receive honorary degrees

Hampton, VA - Christopher Gardner will serve as the keynote speaker at the 138th Annual Hampton University Commencement Exercises on May 11 at 10 a.m. in Armstrong Stadium. Gardner will also be a proud parent on Sunday. His daughter, Jacintha Gardner, will receive a bachelor's degree in business management and will be the first person in his family to graduate from college.

Gardner and Howard University President Dr. H. Patrick Swygert will receive the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. The Hon. Douglas H. Palmer, Mayor of Trenton, N.J. and member of the Hampton University Class of 1973, will receive the Alumnus-at-large award. Karen Rene' Roache, jewelry designer and owner of Another Phase company and a member of the HU Class of 1988, will receive the Outstanding 20-year Alumnus award.

Gardner, CEO of Christopher Gardner International Holdings with offices in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, overcame many obstacles to become a successful entrepreneur. The amazing story of Gardner's life was published as an autobiography, "The Pursuit of Happyness," and was the inspiration for the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness," staring Will Smith released by Columbia Pictures in December 2006.

For more information about HU Commencement Exercises, go to http://commencement.hamptonu.edu.

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