Timothy W. Wright III ’77 will receive the Distinguished Public Service Award at Claremont McKenna College’s 72nd commencement ceremony, to be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 18.
A lawyer and former government official, Wright served in the administrations of Presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
Wright grew up in Compton, where he was student body president at Compton High School. At CMC, he was an activist student leader and standout football player. Wright completed his law degree at UCLA.
He served as special counsel and director of intergovernmental affairs for Chicago Mayor Harold Washington. Wright also participated in the constitutional negotiations in Cape Town, South Africa, that led to the release from prison of Nelson Mandela.
He holds a Master of Divinity degree from the Chicago Theological Seminary and is pursuing a doctorate in ministry. In addition to being recognized for his public service, Wright will deliver the invocation at commencement.
A resident of Chicago, Wright is an Alumni Trustee of Claremont McKenna College.