The Oglethorpe University Class of 2025 will celebrate their commencement May 3 with inspiring words by Carol B. Tomé, chief executive officer of United Parcel Service (UPS).
Tomé is the 12th CEO in the 118-year history of UPS. Before joining UPS, Tomé served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Home Depot, Inc., one of the world’s largest retailers and like UPS, another Atlanta-based Fortune 500 company. She joined the company in 1995 as vice president and treasurer.
“Oglethorpe is not just providing Atlanta’s workforce, we’re preparing the leadership force for the future,” said Oglethorpe President Kathryn McClymond. “The Class of 2025 is a remarkable group of leaders in their own right now, and I know they will long remember the insights Carol Tomé will share with us from her illustrious career as a business leader at some of the world’s most successful companies.”
Tomé began her career as a commercial lender with United Bank of Denver (now Wells Fargo) and then spent several years as director of banking for Johns-Mansville Corporation. Prior to joining The Home Depot, Tomé served as vice president and treasurer of Riverwood International Corporation.
The Oglethorpe University Board of Trustees voted in January to invite Tomé and bestow upon her one of the university’s highest honors, the honorary doctor of letters degree.
The tradition of awarding honorary degrees at Oglethorpe dates back to 1847 and includes such highly regarded figures as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, Ambassador Andrew Young and Grammy Award-winning performer Christopher Jackson.
In addition to her role as CEO of UPS, Tomé serves on the board of directors for Verizon Communications, Inc., the Atlanta Committee for Progress and Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation, and on the board of trustees for the Atlanta Botanical Garden. She is also a member of The Buckhead Coalition and The Business Council.
A native of Jackson, Wyoming, Tomé holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Wyoming and a master’s degree in finance from the University of Denver.
President McClymond, together with alumna and Oglethorpe Board of Trustees Chair Tammy Pearson, vice president and assistant general counsel at Chick-fil-A, Inc., will preside over the commencement ceremony for more than 250 graduates. The ceremony will also include a speech from Senior Class President Nathania Adhisty and the presentation of top graduate and faculty awards.
Additional details about Oglethorpe’s commencement may be found at commencement.oglethorpe.edu.
