MOUNT GREENWOOD — Don't be surprised if someone in the crowd yells out "Norm!" at the graduation ceremony for students in the College of Arts and Science at Saint Xavier University next month.
George Wendt, the actor best known for playing Norm Peterson on the popular show "Cheers," will give the commencement address to the graduates at 10 a.m. on May 7.
Other graduation speakers include Dorri McWhorter, chief executive officer of YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago and the Rev. L. Scott Donahue, president and chief executive of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
McWhorter will deliver the commencement address at 6:30 p.m. May 6 for graduates of the Graham School of Management. Donahue will speak to graduates of the schools of education and nursing at 3 p.m. May 7.
All of the ceremonies will be held in the university's Shannon Center at 3700 W. 103rd St. in Mount Greenwood.
Wendt was raised in Beverly. He has also performed in "Twelve Angry Men" in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles as well as served as a frequent contributor to "Saturday Night Live."
Born in Englewood, McWhorter has focused on several projects while at the helm of the YWCA, including TechGYRLS. This effort focuses on developing science, technology, engineering and math or STEM skills for girls ages 9-14.
Meanwhile, Donahue has led a $10 million expansion at Mercy Home, allowing the charity to open its William E. and Mary Gannon Hay Campus on the Near West Side. The new facility has allowed Mercy to increase the number of youths in its care by 40 percent.
For more information about Saint Xavier's 2016 commencement ceremonies, visit www.sxu.edu or email commencement@sxu.edu.
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