UMass Dartmouth announced on Wednesday, April 27 that NAACP National Board of Directors Chair Roslyn Brock, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants, and former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky will offer the keynote addresses and receive honorary degrees at the 116th Commencement exercises on May 13-16.

Dr. Brian Rothschild, founding dean of the School for Marine Science and Technology, will receive the Chancellor’s Medal. UMass Dartmouth Interim Chancellor Peyton R. “Randy” Helm will offer the keynote address for the Charlton College of Business ceremony.

Nearly 2,000 members of the Class of 2016 will receive undergraduate and graduate diplomas over the course of four Commencement ceremonies.