By Maddie Garvis<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hood College administration has chosen Aba Blankson, the chief marketing and communications officer for the NAACP, as this year\u2019s commencement speaker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blankson is a 1999 graduate of Hood College. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blankson said she was happy to return to talk to her alma mater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is always a privilege to return home and connect with my Hood family,\u201d Blankson said. \u201cAttending Hood was one of the best decisions I ever made. Strangers became classmates, colleagues, and lifelong friends. Professors challenged, empowered, and set me on an incredible journey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blankson also emphasized how her time at Hood helped her become successful in her career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHood has allowed me to open doors, occupy spaces and break ceilings I never could have imagined, and our Hood spirit, \u2018to care, to think, to do\u2019 has guided every aspect of my career,\u201d said Blankson who was a math major. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be where I am today were it not for the opportunities and experiences I had at Hood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laurie Ward, vice president for marketing and communications, said that she\u2019s excited about Blankson\u2019s selection as commencement speaker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe wanted someone relevant and exciting,\u201d Ward said. \u201cShe\u2019s a great speaker; she\u2019s very engaging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood faculty, staff and students send nominations for speaker to President Andrea Chapdelaine and the list is narrowed down from there via interviews with the candidates. Chapdelaine then has the final say on who will speak at commencement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ward said that unlike larger colleges and universities, Hood doesn\u2019t pay its commencement speaker, so the chosen speaker will always be someone who\u2019s very eager to speak at commencement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCommencement is an incredibly special moment on the path of greatness for each of the bright minds that have called Hood College home for the past four years,\u201d Blankson said. \u201cI am honored to speak and celebrate with the resilient Class of 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"