Simon’s Rock at Bard College is thrilled to announce distinguished alumnus, Michael Lawrence, as the speaker for its 55th Commencement Ceremony, set for Saturday, May 18th, 2024. Renowned in the literary field, Lawrence will impart his wisdom to the graduating batch. Whether you’re a grad, a proud parent, an alumnus, or a lover of academia, your presence will undeniably amplify the festivities.
Michael has forever been a language enthusiast. His desire to blend aesthetics and technology has earned him respect in the language technology world. What set him apart were his degrees in linguistics, critical theory, art history, graphic design, and cultural studies – all accumulated with the highest honors at Simon’s Rock.
Insights from Michael Lawrence’s inspiring journey
It ultimately catapulted him into the booming UX writing and content design industries.
Moving from Simon’s Rock to Bard High School Early College, Lawrence continued to impress. His PhD in rhetorical theory and criticism from the University of Iowa and award-winning research on September 11 memorialization discourses took his academic commitments to new heights. This preparation laid a firm foundation as he held positions at institutes such as Carnegie Mellon University and New York University, integrating complex rhetorical theories to new student generations.
His successes extended into the corporate world too, becoming an indispensable part of design teams at international tech giants like Meta, eBay, and Indeed. Plus, he’s extended freelance services to various innovative entrepreneurs hailing from different sectors.
Still, Lawrence has never cut ties with academia. He’s remained an active contributor, taking on roles such as a lecturer at Columbia College Chicago, leading the First-Year Seminar program, and now co-teaching an interdisciplinary seminar at the distinguished University of San Francisco.
Join us Saturday, May 18th, 2024 to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduating class with Michael Lawrence as he shares his insights into both academic and corporate worlds. Let us gather to appreciate the results of years of hard work from the graduating students.
