Cisco's John Chambers to Receive Honorary Doctorate

Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers will receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at the San Jose State University Honors Convocation (photo courtesy of Cisco).

Media contact:
Pat Lopes Harris, pat.harris@sjsu.edu, 408-656-6999

SAN JOSE, CA –Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers will receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at the San Jose State University Honors Convocation.

“John Chambers is widely regarded as a transformational leader representing the attributes that the California State University system and San Jose State exemplify,” President Mohammad Qayoumi said. “His extraordinary achievements in business and his leadership in the fields of education, public service and philanthropy embody the ideals of the CSU and serve as an example of SJSU’s aspirations for its diverse student body.”

As chairman and CEO of the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, Chambers has been lauded by government leaders and publications worldwide for his visionary strategy, his ability to drive an entrepreneurial culture, and his warm-hearted, straight-talking approach.

Chambers has served two American presidents. President George Bush appointed him as vice chairman of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council to provide industry experience and leadership to help protect the critical infrastructure of the United States. He also served on President Bush’s transition team as a member of his Education Committee and on President Bill Clinton’s Trade Policy Committee.

Prior to joining Cisco in 1991 as senior vice president, worldwide sales and operations, Chambers spent eight years at Wang Laboratories and six years with IBM. He was voted the Most Powerful Person in Networking by Network World magazine and has received many other accolades, including the Distinguished Industry Leader Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Chambers holds a law degree and a bachelor’s in business from West Virginia University. He later received an MBA in finance and management from Indiana University.

Honors Convocation

Over 3,500 undergraduates who earned a GPA of 3.65 or higher in at least two contiguous semesters of the three prior semesters will be eligible to participate in this annual ceremony at 6 p.m. April 26 in the Event Center.

San Jose State University — Silicon Valley’s largest institution of higher learning with 30,000 students and 3,850 employees — is part of the California State University system. SJSU’s 154-acre downtown campus anchors the nation’s 10th largest city.