President Jonathan J. Sanford, Ph.D. | University of Dallas website

Humanitarian and University of Dallas alumna Nancy Cain Marcus, MA ’00 PhD ’03, has been selected as the commencement speaker for the 65th annual commencement ceremony at the University of Dallas on May 12, 2024. Marcus, who is a fellow and Life Trustee on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture, and a member of the Advisory Council of the George W. Bush Presidential Institute, expressed her excitement about addressing the class of 2024 at her alma mater. She said, “I am honored and eager to address the class of 2024 at the University of Dallas, a university which I hold in high esteem for its dedication to the pursuit of wisdom, truth and virtue as the proper ends of education.”

Marcus, who previously served as United States Ambassador and Public Delegate to the United Nations, has a long history of public service and involvement in various organizations. She has been recognized for her contributions, including being appointed to the State of Texas Special Commission on 21st Century Colleges and Universities and being named a Distinguished Alumna by the University of Dallas in 2015.

President Jonathan J. Sanford, PhD, praised Marcus for her commitment to the values upheld by the University of Dallas, stating, “Dr. Nancy Cain Marcus has dedicated her life to those ideals the University of Dallas holds in highest regard, orienting her remarkable gifts and energy to the promotion of all that is good, true and beautiful in service to her city, her state and our nation.” Marcus currently serves on several boards, including the Trinity Park Conservancy in Dallas, the Walton Trust in Toronto, and the Worwin UK Foundation.

The commencement ceremony, where Marcus will deliver the address, is scheduled to take place at 9 a.m. at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving. The University of Dallas, known for its rigorous undergraduate Core Curriculum and robust graduate and professional programs, is recognized for its commitment to providing students with a comprehensive education that prepares them for a well-rounded life.