Ambassador Marc Nathanson to Deliver 2024 Commencement Address
DENVER — On Saturday, June 15, 2024, Marc Nathanson will be the keynote speaker at the undergraduate commencement ceremony at the University of Denver (DU). Nathanson, who received his bachelor’s degree from DU, is the founder of Falcon Cable and has served in key government positions for over 25 years.
After earning a master’s degree at UC Santa Barbara, Nathanson began working in cable TV and ultimately founded Falcon Cable, where he had the opportunity to build the business internationally. In 1999, he sold that company and was appointed by President Bill Clinton to join the Broadcasting Board of Governors, today known as the U.S. Agency for Global Media. For seven years, Nathanson served as head of that agency, working to inform and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.
Before serving as the U.S. ambassador to Norway from 2022 to February of this year, Nathanson was also vice chairman of the National Democratic Institute, served on the board of the Aspen Institute, and was appointed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the board of the East-West Center in Hawaii.
In his commencement address, Nathanson will discuss with graduates three lessons he believes will help them as they face life’s obstacles. He will also speak with the graduates about the importance of family.
Nathanson, and his wife Jane, met during a freshman speech class at DU. Together they created the Nathanson Fellows Program, a partnership between DU’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies and the Aspen Institute, which provides DU students opportunities to work and learn at the world-renowned policy organization. They also established at DU’s Daniels College of Business the Fred Fallek Scholarship, named after Jane’s dad, to support students in the area of international business. Jane served on the DU Board of Trustees from 1989-1993.
Both Marc and Jane Nathanson will receive honorary degrees from the University of Denver during Saturday’s commencement. The ceremony will be streamed live at www.du.edu.