March 31, 2014

Gregg LoweRobert Wilkins

Rose-Hulman will recognize two of its most successful alumni-Freescale Semiconductor Chief Executive Officer Gregg A. Lowe and recently confirmed federal judge Robert L. Wilkins-with honorary doctorate of engineering degrees during the institute's 136th commencement on May 31.

Lowe will also present the commencement address to the Class of 2014.

A 1984 electrical engineering alumnus, Lowe was listed among the 100 top leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in 2013 by STEMconnector. Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in embedded processing solutions for the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking markets.

Lowe became CEO of Freescale in June 2012 and initiated a reorganization that identified opportunities for accelerating revenue growth and improving profitability. The strategic initiatives put in motion helped the company gain market share in 2013 for the first time since 2005.

After graduating from Rose-Hulman, Lowe joined the sales team of Texas Instruments (TI) and quickly rose to lead the TI European automotive sales force. In the mid-1990s, he began managing TI product organizations and ultimately served as senior vice president of analog technology for TI, where he helped direct the $6.5 billion acquisition of National Semiconductor.

Lowe is a member of Rose-Hulman's Board of Trustees and received the Alumni Association's Career Achievement Award in 2004 to recognize his accomplishments in the community and within the semiconductor industry. He graduated from Stanford University's executive program. The Cleveland, Ohio, area native has been a trustee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. in Cleveland since 2010.

Meanwhile, Wilkins was confirmed by the U.S. Senate earlier this year as a judge for the influential U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He was nominated by President Barack Obama after serving as judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia since 2010.

The chemical engineering alumnus and Harvard Law School graduate formerly practiced as a partner with Washington, D.C.-based Venable LLP, specializing in white collar defense, intellectual property, and complex civil litigation cases. Wilkins was previously named one of the "40 under 40 most successful young litigators in America" by the National Law Journal and one of the "90 Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Last 30 years" by Legal Times.

A Muncie, Indiana, native, Wilkins also served as a staff attorney and head of special litigation for Washington, D.C.'s Public Defender Service, and as a law clerk for Judge Earl Gilliam of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

At Rose-Hulman, Wilkins received the Herman A. Moench Commendation, presented annually to the institute's most distinguished graduating senior. He was named a Honor Alumnus Award winner in 2005 for his service to Rose-Hulman and professional achievement.

"Rose-Hulman is looking forward to the opportunity to learn the valuable lessons that these outstanding alumni have gained in their career fields and life journeys," says President Jim Conwell. "Gregg and Robert are great examples of the innovative spirit that our graduates possess in making a difference in the world."