Fitzpatrick to Address Winter Commencement Graduates

November 21, 2006

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Ohio Dominican University will hold its 86th commencement exercise at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2006. Approximately 200 students will have degrees conferred upon them as they are joined by hundreds of family and friends in Alumni Hall.

Tom Fitzpatrick, Senior Chairman of Elford, Inc. and former member of ODU’s Board of Trustees, will deliver the commencement address.

Fitzpatrick became the Senior Chairman of Elford, Inc. in 2001 after a successful career that began as a laborer in 1972. He rose through the ranks to Project Manager, Assistant to the President, General Manager, Treasurer, President, Chairman and CEO to his current position as Senior Chairman.

Elford, Inc. is one of the oldest and largest construction companies in Ohio, founded in 1910. Under Fitzpatrick’s leadership, Elford has diversified its services from a general contracting base to include construction management and program management.

Fitzpatrick holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Ohio Dominican. He was an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist and the recipient of The Cornerstone Award from the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio; Man of the Year award from Columbus Rotary; The Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America Central Ohio Council, Distinguished Alumni Award from Ohio Dominican University; and one of the Ten Outstanding Citizens Award from Columbus Jaycees.

During the ceremony, Fitzpatrick will receive an honorary degree, Doctor of Public Service.