2008-06-14 13:18:24 -

- Philanthropist and venture capitalist B.J. Cassin addressed the class of 2008 at Santa Clara University's graduate school commencement ceremony on June 13. Cassin gave the newly minted graduates a few words of advice, "Work hard, laugh often, and keep your honor," he said.

More than 4,000 people gathered in the university's Leavey Center to celebrate graduates from the

School of Education, Counseling Psychology, and Pastoral Ministries; the Leavey School of Business; and the School of Engineering. Degrees were given to 445 graduates at the university's 157th commencement ceremony.

Cassin and his wife Bebe received honorary degrees and were recognized for their longstanding support of education and the founding of the Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation. The foundation works with religious and other groups to establish faith-based, college-preparatory middle schools and high schools in economically disadvantaged areas. Cassin, a former member of the advisory board for the Leavey School of Business and co-founder of the Fortune 500 company Xidex Corporation, used the opportunity to thank his wife for her love and support. "If each of you has someone like Bebe as a partner, you have been truly blessed," he told those gathered for the ceremony.

Among those on the stage with the Cassins were University Provost and Academic Vice President, Lucia Albino Gilbert and University President Paul Locatelli, S.J., who, after 20 years as president, will be stepping down during the 2008-2009 academic year. Locatelli is the speaker at this year's undergraduate commencement ceremony which will be held on June 14 at 8:30 a.m. at Buck Shaw Stadium on the university campus.

About Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University, a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located 40 miles south of San Francisco in California's Silicon Valley, offers its more than 8,685 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master's and law degrees and engineering Ph.D.s. Distinguished nationally by one of the highest graduation rates among all U.S. master's universities, California's oldest operating higher-education institution demonstrates faith-inspired values of ethics and social justice. For more information, see www.scu.edu.

Santa Clara University
Karen Crocker Snell, 408-554-5126
Media Relations
kcrockersnell@scu.edu