UVM announces commencement speaker, two other honorary degree recipients: Who are they?
The University of Vermont has announced James Betts as the 2025 Commencement speaker. The former Olympic doctor, pediatric surgeon and firefighter will address UVM's newest graduates at the University Commencement Ceremony Sunday, May 18.
The UVM alumnus is one of three individuals receiving a 2025 UVM honorary degree. The university will also present its highest honor to former UVM board chair David A. Daigle, whose leadership provided STEM facilities for UVM faculty and students; and Roy V. Hill II, for contributions to Vermont's faith-based, educational and community institutions.
'In their distinctiveways, JamesBetts, David Daigle and Roy Hill reflect UVM's commitment to people and planet - each of them has made UVM a better place through their vision, leadership and dedication to our shared values," UVM Interim President Patricia Prelock said.
Born and raised in Bennington, Betts graduated from UVM in 1969 and became a Doctor of Medicine in 1973.
His career took him to pediatric surgery and urology at the University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital, where he became the founding director of the hospital's pediatric trauma program.
He responded to multiple crises in California including the 1989 Bay Area earthquake and 1991 Oakland Hills Fire, rendering urgent medical treatment to victims.
He found himself drawn to the challenge of responding to needs of patients caught up in natural emergencies. He began serving the Big Sur Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter, the department's medical director and a member of their search and rescue team. In 2015 he received the Department's Firefighter of the Year honor. He currently serves as a duty officer with the fire department on the weekends when he is not on trauma call at the hospital.
Betts was one of the volunteer United States Olympic Commitee physicians in Colorado Springs between 1979 and 1983. He was a founding member of the USOC Anti-Doping Commitee and served on it from 1984 to 2000.
Through his illustrious career, he has maintained connection with UVM and the Larner School of Medicine, serving in multiple roles, including President of the Larner College Medical Alumni Executive Committee, the Board of Trustees and the Dean's Advisory Board.
UVM honorary degree recipients are recognized for "outstanding achievement or service for the benefit of the University of Vermont, the state of Vermont, the nation and beyond."
Each of the 2025 recipients either attended the university as a student or made significant contributions to UVM as a volunteer or employee.
Daigle, a Burlington native, became a first-generation college graduate when he earned a degree in business administration in 1989. He went on to earn an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He currently works as a partner and fixed income portfolio manager with Capital Group in New York City.
Daigle served on UVM's Board of Trustees from 2010 to 2020 and chaired the Board from 2016 to 2020. He is described by colleagues as 'one of the most impactful alumni in UVM history.' Daigle played a leadership role in the "Move Mountains: The Campaign for the University of Vermont," which raised over $581 million. Daigle presided over construction of buildings that reshaped campus life, including the Central Campus Residence Hall, and Discovery and Innovation Halls, which provide state-of-the art facilities for students and researchers in the STEM fields.
Hill, a Tennessee native, earned a bachelor's degree from Talladega College and a master's degree from Washington University before moving to Vermont.
Prior to that move to the Green Mountain State, Hill held leadership positions at Washington University, Dartmouth College and Brown University, and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education before he was recruited as director of corporate and foundation relations at UVM.
He spearheaded UVM's educational, research and cultural partnership with Jackson State University, a historically Black institution in Mississippi.
Hill has supported many Vermont community, faith-based and educational institutions. He is a charter member of the Burlington Vermont Area Chapter of the NAACP, past president of the Vermont Ecumenical Council and Bible Society and former program director for Spectrum Youth and Family Services in Vermont. In addition, he was asked to serve as the Vermont Governor's representative to the National Black Leadership Summit in Washington, DC.
Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: UVM announces commencement speaker, honorary degree recipients
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