Dogfish’s Calagione to address Goldey-Beacom College graduates May 1

This year’s college graduation season will kick off when more than 450 graduates receive their diplomas at Goldey-Beacom College’s 128th Commencement Ceremony at 3:45 p.m., Friday, May 1, in the Joseph West Jones College Center. This year’s commencement speaker will be Samuel A. Calagione III, founder and president of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Rehoboth Beach.  Calagione will also receive an honorary doctorate degree of business administration from the college.

Calagione started with a home-brew kit making 10-bottle batches. Now he produces one of America’s fastest-growing craft beers. His entrepreneurial endeavors have moved beyond brewing to include restaurants, fashion and lodging.

Calagione has hosted Discovery Channel’s “Brew Masters” series which looked at beer production worldwide, while focusing on his operations here in Delaware. He was chosen Business Man of the Year by the Small Business Association, and named the Game Changer for 2010 by Huffington Post. He is also the author of “Brewing up a Business” and “Extreme Brewing,” and he co-authored “He Said Beer, She Said Wine.”  Calagione is also  a five-time nominee for the prestigious James Beard Award for wine and spirits.

Also during the graduation ceremony, Goldey-Beacom College President Dr. Mohammad Ilyas will be honored after 40 years of service to the college. President-elect Dr. Gary Wirt will be installed as the 13th president.

Founded in 1886, the college offers graduate and undergraduate degrees with majors in psychology, economics, criminal justice, English, and all areas of business. Goldey-Beacom College is in Pike Creek Valley, a suburb of Wilmington, and has alumni from 26 states and 66 nations.

The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs, and the International Assembly of Collegiate Business Education.