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Dillard University celebrated its commencement on Saturday, May 11, honoring years of hard work, dedication, and achievement. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for our graduates, as they step into the world fully equipped to make a meaningful impact.
The Dillard community came together to honor these remarkable individuals and their academic journey, applauding their successes and looking forward to the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
2024 Valedictorians and Salutatorian
NEW ORLEANS—Dillard University’s Office of Academic Affairs has announced its selections for valedictorian and salutatorian ahead of the 2024 commencement exercise, which will take place on Saturday, May 11, at 8 a.m. on the Avenue of the Oaks.
George Alvarez, Ashley Brown, Travionne Bob, Rajah Thomas, and Callia Thompson have received the distinction of valedictorian, and Covay Joseph has the distinction of salutatorian.
Commencement 2024 Speaker
Ayo Davis is president of Disney Branded Television, the unit of Disney Entertainment Television that creates premium original content for kids and families for Disney+, Disney Junior and Disney Channel. In this role, Davis leads development, current, production, casting and business affairs for the group’s expansive slate of live-action, unscripted and animated entertainment.
Since being named to this role in 2021, Davis has led one of the industry’s most successful and award-winning slates for kids, from preschool hits like “Bluey,” the most-watched series for Kids 2-11 in 2023, “Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends,” and “Superkitties,” 2023’s No. 1 most-watched new series for Kids 2-5 – to popular programs for Kids 9-14, like “Kiff,” “Raven’s Home,” and the ever-popular “ZOMBIES” and “Descendants” franchises.
Dillard University Commencement 2024 Honorary Degree Recipients
Warren Bell Jr., Ayo Davis, and Edgar Poree Jr. received honorary doctorates of humane letters. Bell made history as New Orleans’ first Black weekday prime-time TV News anchor at WDSU-TV from 1974-1980. Davis was named President of Disney-Branded Television in 2021. She is a Dillard University alumna and a member of the Board of Trustees. Poree has served his community in a number of roles with the New Orleans Public School System, BellSouth Telecommunications, Total Community Action, among others.
Warren A. Bell Jr. is a New Orleans native with a long-established presence in broadcast media as a TV & Radio news anchor, news manager and talk show host, in addition to producing numerous documentaries on critical topics over those years. Bell anchored his first radio news broadcast in 1968 at WYLD-AM while still attending St. Augustine High School.
Edgar F. Poree, Jr. earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Xavier University in 1958. He was also a Fellow of Tulane University’s Issues Forum, Loyola University’s Institute of Politics, and Louisiana State University’s Executive Program. While working as a sixth grade teacher in the New Orleans Public School System, Mr. Poree submitted a comprehensive ...
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