Five distinguished figures in civil rights, the arts, business, the Catholic Church, and higher education will join principal speaker retired U.S. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey as honorary degree recipients at the University of Notre Dame’s 171st University Commencement Ceremony on May 15 (Sunday).

Arturo Sandoval, doctor of fine arts – An internationally acclaimed jazz and classical musician and composer, Sandoval has received ten Grammy Awards, six Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award and is a 2013 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, this nation’s highest civilian honor. Born in Cuba, Sandoval began playing the trumpet at age 12 and soon began to follow the music of jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie. His bands in Cuba received critical praise worldwide, and he was the nation’s outstanding instrumentalist from 1982 to 1990. He defected to the United States with his family in 1990 and was granted U.S. citizenship nine years later. He also is a renowned classical musician, and he has recorded and performed with everyone from Gillespie to Frank Sinatra, the Boston Pops to Justin Timberlake. Now an emeritus professor at Florida International University, Sandoval continues to offer clinics and seminars as well as tour extensively around the world.

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