Michael J. Dowling, president and chief executive officer of Northwell Health, will be speaking at both 50th commencement ceremonies of SUNY Old Westbury on Sunday, May 22nd at which about 800 students are expected to graduate.

Dowling graduated from University College Cork, Ireland with an undergraduate degree, and from Fordham University with a Master’s degree.  He served as a senior vice president at Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield before he joined Northwell Health in 1995.  He also worked for twelve years in the New York State government, serving as State Director of Health, Education, and Human Services, as well as deputy secretary to the governor.

The School of Arts and Sciences’ morning ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. and guests will be admitted at 8 a.m. This ceremony will only allow degree candidates graduating from academic programs that are delivered primarily via departments within the School of Arts and Sciences.

The ceremony for the School of Business and the School of Education will begin at 3 p.m. and guests will be admitted at 2 p.m. This ceremony will only allow degree candidates graduating from academic programs that are delivered primarily via departments within the School of Business and the School of Education.

Panther Park Athletic Field, an outside location, will hold both ceremonies. If there are any weather concerns, the ceremonies will be moved indoors to the F. Ambrose Clark Athletic Center.

Each student will receive four tickets for their guests. Tickets will be available for pick up with no charge at the “Comment Celebration” on either Wednesday, May 11th or Thursday, May 12th. During the “Commencement Celebration” students will also be able to pick up their caps and gowns in the Student Union. A cap and gown must be purchased by each student to obtain tickets.