Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook and Lieutenant General Michael Dubie (ret) to address graduates and receive Honorary Degrees May 10
Vermont Business Magazine Embodying Champlain College's dedication to career-focused education and positive global impact, Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook and Lieutenant General Michael Dubie will be honored for their exemplary leadership and service as they address graduating students during the College’s commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 10. Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook will address Champlain College on-campus undergraduates, and Lieutenant General Michael Dubie will offer remarks to Champlain College Online undergraduate and graduate students. Both speakers will receive honorary doctorate degrees from the College.
Commencement exercises will kick off at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction at 10:00 AM for on-campus undergraduate students and 3:00 PM for Champlain College Online students receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees.
“We celebrate our graduates who are Champlain Ready, and for countless new opportunities ahead," said Champlain College President Alex Hernandez. "Our graduates have demonstrated remarkable growth and determination in their journey. We are honored to welcome trailblazers like Dr. Johnson Cook and Lt. Gen. Dubie, who will share their wisdom and experiences, inspiring our graduates to build a better future where every challenge becomes an opportunity for progress.”
Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, also known as “Ambassador Sujay”, will receive a Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa. Johnson Cook made history as the first female and first African American to serve as U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, a position appointed by former President Barack Obama.
Beyond her diplomatic work as an Ambassador, Johnson Cook served as a policy advisor to former President Bill Clinton and to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Her academic career includes serving as Associate Dean and faculty member at Harvard Divinity School and professor of theology at New York Theological Seminary. Johnson Cook made history as the first woman to serve as Chaplain to the New York City Police Department, where she spent 21 years and provided crucial support during the 9/11 tragedy.
A third-generation business owner, Johnson Cook is the founder of the Global Black Women's Chamber of Commerce, the first worldwide Chamber dedicated to supporting Black women entrepreneurs. In addition to her public service and academic achievements, Johnson Cook has authored 17 books.
Lt. Gen. Dubie will receive a Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa. A career F-16 pilot in the Vermont Air National Guard, Dubie served as Vermont’s 24th Adjutant General from 2006 to 2012. He completed his distinguished military career in 2015 as a three-star general in the U.S. Air Force and as the Deputy Commander of U.S. Northern Command in Colorado.
Dubie began his military journey in 1979 through the Army ROTC program at the University of Vermont while simultaneously joining the 150th Aviation Battalion of the Vermont Army National Guard. His leadership and service have earned him numerous accolades, including being named Vermonter of the Year in 2011. In 2015, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor General of Canada on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.
In addition to the honorary degree recipients, student speakers will address their fellow graduates in each of the two ceremonies. David Klinker, representing on-campus undergraduate students, is graduating with a Marketing degree with a minor in Finance. He is from Winooski, Vermont. Shaima Ahmed will represent Champlain College Online and is completing her MS in Business Administration. Ahmed is from Canton, Ohio.
For more information about Champlain College’s 2025 Commencement ceremonies, visit commencement.champlain.edu. In addition to the in-person ceremony, the College will provide an online livestream for both ceremonies.
About Champlain College: Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a small, not-for-profit, private college in Burlington, Vermont. Champlain offers a residential undergraduate experience from its beautiful campus overlooking Lake Champlain. Additionally, Champlain College Online provides an expansive portfolio of online degrees and certificates, reaching students across all 50 states and U.S. territories, while fostering strategic partnerships with forward-thinking workforce organizations. The College is known for its distinctive and innovative approach to career-focused education and its Upside-Down Curriculum, which helps students be Ready for work, Ready for life, and Ready to make a difference. Champlain is ranked as one of the “Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report for 2025, and was named one of the “Best 390 Colleges” by The Princeton Review for 2025, including among its “Best Northeastern colleges.” For more information, visit www.champlain.edu.
Burlington, VT (April 29, 2025) — Champlain College
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