2012 Commencement Speaker Dr. David L. Warren

President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

Dr. David L. Warren, president of NAICU since 1993, is widely regarded as one of the most persuasive and influential voices for higher education. He is known as a tireless advocate for America's private colleges and for increased financial aid funding for all college students. Warren was a driving force on behalf of all higher education in shaping the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, which was signed into law in 2008. In response to calls to dramatically increase the nation's college graduation rate during the next decade, he has led NAICU in launching "Building Blocks to 2020," a major effort to encourage and report on the role of America's private colleges and universities in achieving greater access to and completion of a college education. Warren spearheaded the Student Aid Alliance, an ongoing campaign of 50 higher education associations to expand student aid.