United States Senator Jon Kyl Delivers 2012 Arizona Christian University Commencement  Address


Arizona Christian University is pleased to announce that United States Senator Jon Kyl will be the graduation speaker at its 2012 Commencement ceremonies on May 12, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Scottsdale Bible Church, 7601 E. Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale.

“Sen. Kyl has served the citizens of Arizona with great character and distinction for nearly three decades,” said Len Munsil, ACU President. “As the second-highest ranking Republican in the Senate, he has been a key decision-maker on every major issue confronting our nation in recent days. We are honored that one of America’s most influential Christian leaders will share his experiences with our graduates and their families on this special day.”

Arizona Christian University will graduate its largest class ever of 90 students with bachelor’s degrees in a variety of majors including education, business administration, behavioral health, Biblical studies, Christian ministries, and music.

In addition to the commencement ceremony, the University will host a Senior Awards Ceremony and Reception Honoring the Graduating Class of 2012. At the reception, ACU will recognize top students in all majors as well as outstanding musicians and athletes. The reception will be held in the ACU Student Activities Center at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 11.

ABOUT JON KYL

Arizona Senator Jon Kyl is serving his third and final term in the U.S. Senate after previously serving for eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected unanimously by his colleagues in 2008 to serve as Republican Whip, the second-highest position in Senate Republican leadership.

Senator Kyl serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he has played key roles in the confirmation of John Roberts as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and of Samuel Alito as associate justice. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, he has also helped write the landmark Crime Victims Rights Act, as well as important provisions of the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, and other anti-terrorism laws.

As a member of the Finance Committee, he has been chief advocate of death-tax repeal and other pro-growth tax policies, including low tax rates on income, capital gains, and dividends. He has also been a strong proponent of step-by-step solutions for health-care reform that can improve access, lower costs, and preserve the sacred doctor-patient relationship.

The Wall Street Journal wrote in February 2011 that Senator Kyl “has made his mark the old fashioned way – by knowing what he is talking about.” The New York Times, in a February 2012 piece, called Kyl “the emissary of the Republican leadership, a gatekeeper of conservatism, and a bridge between his party’s most ardent conservatives and more pragmatic centrists.” His command of policy is why national television news networks often invite him to serve as a commentator on various national issues.

TIME magazine recognized Senator Kyl as one the “World’s 100 Most Influential People” in 2010, and as one of the 10 best senators in 2006. Capitol Hill’s newspaper, The Hill, identified him as one of the “25 hardest working lawmakers.”

Before his public service, Kyl practiced law at Jennings, Strouss & Salmon in Phoenix. In 1985, he served as chairman of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.

Born in Oakland, Nebraska, Kyl received both his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Arizona. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was editor-in-chief of the Arizona Law Review. He and his wife Caryll have two children, Kristine Kyl Gavin and John Kyl, and seven grandchildren.