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March 21, 2005 -- Today, the University of Utah
Board of Trustees approved honorary doctoral degrees for six individuals,
which will be presented at this year’s commencement ceremonies
on Friday, May 6, 2005, in the Jon M. Huntsman Center. The degrees,
awarded to individuals who merit special recognition for service
or achievement, will be presented to Robert F. Bennett for Doctor
of Laws; Edwin E. Catmull for Doctor of Engineering; Katherine
W. Dumke for Doctor of Humane Letters; C.A. “Arnie”
Ferrin for Doctor of Humane Letters; Marta Sutton Weeks for Doctor
of Humane Letters; and to this year’s commencement speaker,
The Most Reverend George H. Niederauer, for Doctor of Humane Letters.
Utah Senator Robert F. Bennett is Chief Deputy Majority Whip and
a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. As vice
chairman of the Joint Economic Committee and a senior member of
the Senate Banking Committee, Bennett is at the center of national
economic policy discussions. He is a former chief executive officer
of Franklin Quest. Inc. magazine named him “Entrepreneur
of the Year” for the Rocky Mountain Region. Bennett’s
dedication to the U began when he served as student body president
from 1956-57. He has spearheaded efforts to secure federal funds
to advance the University’s causes, ranging from health
sciences projects to a new Museum of Natural History.
Edwin E. Catmull is co-founder and president of the world's leading
computer animation company, Pixar Animation Studios, which has
created such award-winning films as Toy Story, A Bug's Life,
Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.
He has been honored with three Scientific and Technical Engineering
Awards from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for
his work, including an Oscar®. Forty-one of the last 44 films
nominated for a visual effects Academy Award® utilized Pixar's
RenderMan technology, which Catmull helped to create. Catmull
provides counsel to the College of Engineering and School of Computing
and continues to foster connections between computer science and
fine arts.
Katherine W. Dumke has made substantial contributions to the University
of Utah, including service on the Alumni Board, the Children’s
Dance Theatre Advisory Board, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts Board
and the College of Nursing Development Board. She is the president
of the Katherine W. Dumke and Ezekiel R. Dumke, Jr. Foundation,
a major benefactor to the University. She has given generously
to the University and made significant gifts to Red Butte Garden
and Arboretum and Women’s Gymnastics and Soccer. She has
been an advocate in the field of human genetics and has extended
her support to those in need through community involvement, including
the Junior League and Neighborhood House.
C. A. “Arnie” Ferrin played basketball for the University
of Utah more than a half century ago. Through his performance
and that of his teammates he brought positive impressions of the
University of Utah to the rest of the nation. He was a collegiate
and professional athlete, businessman, professional team manager,
University administrator and national leader in collegiate athletics.
In 1944, playing as a freshman, the native of Ogden, Utah, was
named Most Outstanding Player by the National Collegiate Athletics
Association (NCAA) Basketball Men’s Division I Championship
Tournament. He is one of only two players in history to have played
on NCAA, National Invitation Tournament (NIT) and National Basketball
Association (NBA) championship teams.
The Reverend Marta Sutton Weeks has generously shared her resources
with the University of Utah, making significant gifts to the College
of Mines and Earth Sciences and to the College of Humanities.
In addition to establishing endowed scholarships in the Department
of Geology and Geophysics, she helped send 15 graduate students
on a field trip to Kenya. As a philanthropist and civic leader,
Weeks supports various programs across the country—from
science and humanities to art and music. Weeks has served as a
member of the University’s National Advisory Council. She
is an Episcopal priest and has served communities in Florida and
Utah.
The Most Reverend George H. Niederauer is the eighth bishop of
the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, where he is the
spiritual shepherd of more than 200,000 Catholics throughout the
state of Utah. Prior to his appointment in Utah, Niederauer served
as spiritual director, faculty member and rector of St. John's
Seminary in Camarillo, California. He also co-directed the Cardinal
Manning House of Prayer in Los Angeles. Niederauer has served
and continues to serve on a variety of committees for the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). He is currently
the chair of the Utah Coalition Against Pornography. Last year
he received the Gandhi Peace Award.
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