Delaware State University is hoping its 2012 Commencement will bask in sunshine as it returns to its tradition of distributing bachelor, master and doctoral diplomas in an outdoor ceremony.

After holding the annual graduation indoors in multiple ceremonies over the last two years, this year’s DSU Commencement will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 20 as one event outdoors at Alumni Stadium.

The 2012 Commencement will feature nationally renowned entrepreneur Warren Brown as its keynote speaker.

Warren Brown left a career practicing law as a litigator for the federal government to found CakeLove bakery in 2002. He has grown his organization to include six retail storefronts and has been recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit by local and national media including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today, NPR, and national advertisement campaigns for American Express and Dell computers.

From 2005 to 2007 Mr. Brown was the host of the television show Sugar Rush on the Food Network. He enjoys sharing the joys of baking and has authored three cookbooks to encourage others to bake from scratch: CakeLove in the Morning which celebrates weekend brunch (May 1, 2012), United Cakes of America featuring recipes from every state in the Union (2010), and CakeLove-How to bake cakes from scratch (2008). 

Mr. Brown serves on the board of Kid Power-DC, a local nonprofit that conducts after-school arts programs. He partnered with them to start Cookie-Time, which is a seasonal cookie bakery operated by the youth in Kid Power. CakeLove also donates to numerous charitable organizations that support children and disadvantaged communities.

Warren Brown graduated from Brown University with a BA in History and from George Washington University with a Juris Doctor and a Master's in Public Health. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife and daughter.

During this year’s Commencement, at least 20 alumni members of the Class of 1962 will return to their alma mater to participate in the ceremony.