Michael G. Morris, chairman of American Electric Power (AEP), will address graduates at The University of Toledo’s fall commencement Sunday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. in Savage Arena.

There are 2,215 candidates for degrees from the summer and fall semesters from 12 of the University’s colleges. There are 733 candidates for doctoral, education specialist and master’s degrees, as well as graduate certificates, and 1,482 for bachelor’s and associate degrees. The ceremony will be webcast live at http://video.utoledo.edu.

UT will award Morris an honorary doctor of business administration for leading the charge to update and enlarge the country’s electrical grid.

In his role with American Electric Power, which is based in Columbus and is the largest electricity generating utility in the United States, Morris leads the company’s efforts to develop an advanced interstate high-voltage transmission system designed to combine wholesale regional power delivery with increased reliability.

“AEP takes very seriously its responsibility to lead the expansion and development of America’s electric energy backbone,” Morris said in an interview with Forbes magazine. “Toward that end, AEP is investing millions of dollars and partnering with other utilities in the development of a more robust interstate network to promote electricity grid reliability and support economic growth. We believe, as do our partners, that development of a ‘transmission superhighway’ is critical to our nation’s growth and security.”

Prior to joining AEP in 2004, Morris was chair, president and CEO of Northeast Utilities System. Morris also was CEO and president of Consumers Energy and president of CMS Marketing, Services and Trading. Additionally, he was president of Colorado Interstate Gas Co. and executive vice president of marketing, transportation and gas supply for ANR Pipeline Co., both subsidiaries of El Paso Energy. Morris was the founder and president of ANR Gathering Co., one of the first gas marketing companies in the United States.

In the event severe winter weather requires commencement to be postponed, the ceremony would take place Monday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. in Savage Arena.

Click here to download a photo of Morris.

Media Coverage
13 ABC (Dec. 16, 2013)
The Blade (Dec. 16, 2013)