N.R. Narayana Murthy Announced as 2012 Commencement Speaker

CMC has announced that N.R. Narayana Murthy P'02, Indian industrialist and global software leader, will deliver the keynote address at Claremont McKenna College's 65th Annual Commencement ceremonies scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 12. The event takes place on Pritzlaff Field, south of Bauer Center.
Noted by The Times of India as a "champion entrepreneur, a flag bearer of corporate governance, and a visionary leader," Murthy is the founder and chairman emeritus of Infosys Limited, a global software consulting company headquartered in Bangalore, India. He founded Infosys in 1981, served as the CEO from 1981-2002, and as the chairman and chief mentor from 1981-2011. Under his leadership, Infosys became the first India-registered company to be listed on the American Stock Exchange in 1999.
As one of the world's most admired business leaders, Murthy works to promote the continuing development of information technology, entrepreneurism, and key corporate governance initiatives in India. He is a former member of the National Information Technology Task Force of India and is currently a member of the Prime Minister's Council on Trade and Industry. Holding a high esteem for responsible and trustworthy leadership, Murthy values many of the same principles as Claremont McKenna College.
"Claremont McKenna College is honored to welcome Mr. Murthy as the keynote speaker for our Commencement ceremony this year," said Pamela Gann, president of the College. "Mr. Murthy is an innovative entrepreneur who exemplifies visionary leadership in India and around the world." During the 2012 ceremonies, Murthy also will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the College.
Murthy serves on several philanthropic and educational boards, including the Ford Foundation, United Nations Foundation, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Asian Institute of Management, Rhodes Trust, and the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore. He is also an emeritus member of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University.
Born in Siddlaghatta, Karnataka, Murthy graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from the National Institute of Engineering, University of Mysore. He earned his master's degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
In 2003, Murthy became the first Indian winner of Ernst and Young's World Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The Economist ranked him among the 10 most-admired global business leaders in 2005, and he topped the Economic Times list of India's most powerful CEO's for three consecutive years: 2004 to 2006. In 2007, the British Government conferred on him the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The following year, Murthy's exceptional and distinguished service in the field of information technology was recognized when he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award. Also in 2008, the Government of France named him an Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honor. In 2010, Murthy was presented an honorary membership to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a U.S., nonprofit, professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence. He is also a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering and a foreign member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering.
More about CMC's 2012 Commencement events, including a detailed schedule and information on parking and hotel accommodations, can be found on the Commencement website.