WILSON, N.C. — April 29, 2024 — Rick Schlesinger, President of Business Operations for the Milwaukee Brewers, will be the featured speaker at the 122nd annual commencement exercises of Barton College scheduled for Saturday, May 11, on center campus at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Douglas N. Searcy will preside over his ninth commencement program as president of Barton College. Dr. Kevin N. Pennington, vice president for academic affairs, will present the 2024 Class of 256 undergraduate and graduate students.
Participating in this year’s commencement ceremony will be students who completed their baccalaureate degree requirements in December 2023 and May 2024, as well as undergraduate candidates who expect to fulfill requirements over the summer. Also participating will be graduates of the Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership, Master of School Administration, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and the Master of Science in Kinesiology degree programs.
The three highest honors presented to Barton students: the Coggins Cup, the Hilley Cup, and the Hemby Leadership Cup, will be awarded. The Coggins Cup is presented annually to the student voted best all-around by the Barton faculty and staff. The Hilley Cup is presented annually to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average. The Hemby Leadership Cup is presented to the graduating senior, who in the estimation of the college community (including students, faculty and staff) has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout a career at Barton College.
The Lincoln Financial Excellence in Teaching Fund Faculty Member of the Year awards will also be presented. The awards, given annually to two faculty members, include a cash stipend for international study.
Amy Denton (class of 1994), president of the Barton College Alumni Association and its Alumni Board, will bring greetings to graduating seniors on behalf of the Alumni Association.
Commencement Week activities will include the Hooding Ceremony for the Master of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Sciences graduates in the School of Education and Social Sciences, and the Master of Science degree in Kinesiology graduates in the School of Health Sciences on Thursday, May 9, at 4 p.m. in Hardy Alumni Hall.
The Hooding Ceremony for the Master of School Administration degree graduates in the School of Education and Social Sciences will be held on Thursday, May 9, at 6 p.m. in Howard Chapel. Licensure graduates in the School of Education and Social Sciences will receive their certificates at this time as well.
The Nurses Pinning Ceremony for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree graduates in the School of Health Sciences will be held on Friday, May 10, at 10 a.m. in Wilson Gymnasium. RN to BSN degree graduates will also be recognized at this time.
The Hooding Ceremony for the Master of Business Administration degree in Strategic Leadership graduates in the School of Business and Innovation will be held on Friday, May 10, at 5 p.m. in Wilson Gymnasium.
Commencement Week activities will also include the Baccalaureate Service on Friday afternoon, May 10, at 4 p.m. in Howard Chapel. Alysun Skinner, college chaplain, will officiate at the service. The Reverend Dr. Rodney A. Werline, Leman and Marie Barnhill Endowed Chair in Religious Studies, will deliver the Baccalaureate message.
About the Commencement Speaker —
Rick Schlesinger is the President of Business Operations for the Milwaukee Brewers. He now enters his 22nd season with the Brewers and his sixth season in his current position, after being promoted in January 2019. Mr. Schlesinger previously held roles with the Brewers’ organization as executive vice president of business operations from 2003-2010 and as chief operating officer from 2011-2018.
He currently oversees the organization’s business operations, including finance, human resources, information technology, legal, sponsorships, marketing, ticketing, business analytics, broadcasting, communications, stadium operations, and non-baseball special events.
The Brewers have established records in nearly every aspect of the business during Schlesinger’s tenure. More than 2.5 million fans have passed through the gates of American Family Field in 13 of the past 15 seasons (excluding the 2020 and 2021 restricted capacity seasons). In that time, the organization has built a focus on the fan experience, developed new and enhanced partnerships, and completed several major development projects that benefit various stakeholders. Recent major investments in the fan experience at American Family Field include a new main scoreboard and a second digital board in right field (2024), the J. Leinenkugel’s Barrel Yard (2023) and X-Golf (2022).
Recently, Mr. Schlesinger joined elected officials in leading a successful effort to secure a generational lease extension for the Brewers at American Family Field. The new lease and associated funding to maintain and improve the ballpark ensures that American Family Field will be home to the Brewers through at least 2050.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983, Mr. Schlesinger received his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School (cum laude) in 1986.
He spent five seasons (1998-2002) as vice president of business and legal affairs/assistant general manager for the Anaheim Angels. He previously worked for Walt Disney Pictures and Television in motion picture development and production (1993-1998) and at the Los Angeles law firm of Latham and Watkins (1986-1993).
A native of Bayside, Wis., Mr. Schlesinger currently resides in Hartland, Wis., with his wife, Kate. They have five children, Bradley, Sam, Caitlin, Molly, and Mathieu.
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