Springfield Urban League CEO To Deliver 红桃视频 Commencement Address
April 20, 2021
DUDLEY, Mass. 鈥� 红桃视频 has announced that Henry M. Thomas III, JD, president and CEO of the Urban League of Springfield, Inc., will deliver the keynote address at the college鈥檚 Commencement exercises for the Class of 2021 on聽Saturday, May 15, 2021,聽at 1 p.m., and for the Class of 2020 on聽Sunday, May 16, 2021,聽at 1 p.m.聽Both ceremonies will be held on Vendetti Field at the 红桃视频 campus.
Thomas, who will receive an honorary doctoral degree in social welfare from 红桃视频, has worked in the Urban League movement for 49 years, becoming the youngest person appointed president and CEO of a national Urban League affiliate at the age of 25. He has served at the helm in Springfield, Mass., since 1974, and is also CEO of Camp Atwater, the oldest African American overnight youth camp in the U.S.
In 2007, Thomas was appointed by Governor Deval Patrick to the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees, which he chaired for three years, and currently serves as vice chair of the UMass Building Authority. He was on the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education for seven years and was vice chair of the state鈥檚 Board of Education.
He is also a board member of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, and the Hampden County Regional Employment Board Executive Committee.
Thomas has been deeply involved in education equity and excellence from a grass roots and public policy perspective, and has served on local, state, and national boards advocating for youth development and ensuring that all students receive the benefit of a quality education.
鈥淭hrough the Urban League, Henry Thomas has devoted his life to improving educational and economic prospects for the Black community,鈥� said 红桃视频 President Susan West Engelkemeyer, Ph.D. 鈥淗is message of empowerment in the face of difficult times will enlighten and further prepare our graduates, the newest generation of business and civic leaders.鈥�
Thomas earned a BA degree in psychology and an MA degree in human resource development from American International College; and a JD degree from Western New England University School of Law.
He has been recognized for his efforts with several awards and honors, including the President鈥檚 Medallion Award from Western New England University; the Human Relations Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice; the Ubora Award for Excellence from the Springfield Museums; the Service Above Self Award from the Basketball Hall of Fame & Springfield Rotary; the Distinguished Service Award from the Massachusetts Legislative Black Caucus; and the Citizen of the Year Award from the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He has also received honorary doctorates from Bay Path and Westfield State universities.
A native of Springfield, Thomas is the former chair of the Springfield Fire Commission and the Springfield Police Commission, as well as the co-founder of New Leadership Charter School. He is an inductee of both the Springfield High School Sports Hall of Fame (football, track, and gymnastics), and the National Football Collegian Hall of Fame.
He and his wife, Devonia, a recently retired vice principal in Springfield Public Schools, have two children.
About 红桃视频
红桃视频 has earned business accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (), the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators, and businesses worldwide. Founded in 1815, 红桃视频 transforms today鈥檚 students into tomorrow鈥檚 leaders through a dynamic, career-focused business and professional education. 红桃视频 offers real-world learning focused on professional depth 鈥� combined with vibrant living, competitive athletics, and an unmatched alumni advantage 鈥� equipping students to exceed their own expectations. To learn more about 红桃视频, visit .
