Fall 2022 Commencement keynote speaker is a longtime champion of higher education excellence

Bruce Johnson '82 serves as the president and CEO of the Inter-University Council of Ohio

A longtime champion of higher education excellence, Bruce Johnson ‘82 will be the keynote speaker at the Bowling Green State University Fall 2022 Commencement.

Johnson, currently serving as the president and CEO of the Inter-University Council of Ohio, will present the address during the Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10, ceremonies at the Stroh Center.

Johnson has held his current position with the Inter-University Council (IUC) since December 2006. IUC was established in 1939 as a voluntary educational association of Ohio’s public universities and today represents Ohio’s 14 public universities.

Johnson leads the organization designed to provide each of its member institutions with opportunities to collaborate for the benefit of higher education in Ohio. He is responsible for strategy development and implementation for all aspects of IUC.

Prior to serving in his current capacity, Johnson was lieutenant governor of Ohio and the director of the Ohio Department of Development. During his tenure, Ohio was recognized twice for leading the nation in new and expanded facilities.

Before serving as director of the department of development, Johnson was a member of the Ohio Senate where he served as president pro tempore, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from BGSU and his Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School. He was admitted to the Ohio State Bar Association in 1985.

Friday’s 7 p.m. Commencement includes doctoral and master’s candidates from the Graduate College, bachelor’s candidates from the College of Musical Arts and the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering, and associate and bachelor’s candidates from Firelands College. Saturday’s 10 a.m. ceremony includes bachelor’s candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business, the College of Education and Human Development and the College of Health and Human Services.

For guests not able to attend Commencement in person, all ceremonies will be live-streamed.

Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m.