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Nazareth Invites Colleen Fallon Arnold to Speak at 2017 Commencement

Published February 20, 2017

Nazareth College is honored to announce that Colleen Fallon Arnold, retired senior vice president of IBM, will be the College's 2017 Commencement speaker. Nazareth's undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremony take place on Sunday, May 14, at 9:45 a.m. at the Blue Cross Arena, 100 Exchange Blvd., Rochester, N.Y. 14614.

Arnold, a Nazareth alumna, graduated with a bachelor's degree in business from Nazareth College in 1979 and a master's in business administration from Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management in 1981.

She served in leadership positions at IBM for 35 years. She recently retired as senior vice president and head of IBM Sales and Distribution, responsible for revenue, profit, and client satisfaction in North America and IBM's industry client teams globally. Prior to that role, Arnold was senior vice president, IBM Application Management Services, leading IBM in providing clients with an integrated approach to managing their application portfolios.

Arnold was also a member of IBM's Performance Team of senior executive leaders and had served on rotational assignments as a member of the IBM chairman's Strategy Team and IBM's Technical Leadership Team. In other IBM roles throughout her career, Arnold held positions delivering worldwide revenue, profit, and client satisfaction of IBM clients in telecommunications, media and entertainment, and energy and utility industries. She also led IBM's efforts in the emerging business areas of wireless computing and digital media.

Colleen Fallon Arnold is the recipient of the 2014 Nazareth College Outstanding Alumni Award and was awarded the 2012 Jonathan J. Holtz Alumnus of the Year, at Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management.

For More Information

Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | 585-389-2456 or jlong2@naz.edu

2017 Nazareth College Commencement

Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.

Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.

Colleen Fallon Arnold '79