On May 11, 2024, during the 156th Commencement Convocation, Howard University will bestow upon J.W. Marriott Jr., chairman emeritus and former CEO, Marriott International, Inc. the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters.
Mr. Marriott, who is described as a “generous” leader, currently serves on The J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation, which provided a $20 million endowment to create the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership within the Howard University School of Business. Recognizing the need for increased representation of Black professionals in C-suites within the hospitality industry, the Center is committed to creating a pipeline to executive-level roles.
Having developed a passion for the hospitality industry at an early age, Mr. Marriott spent 40 years as chief executive officer of Marriott International before retiring in March 2012. Throughout his career, Mr. Marriott has been known for his hands-on management style, which is built on his parents’ core value of putting people first.
The Commencement ceremony will be livestreamed here on Howard University’s KZfaq channel and air live on WHUR 96.3 FM and WHUT-TV, Howard University’s public broadcast channel. The ceremony will be rebroadcast at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 12. 
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