A familiar face will return to the Heidelberg University campus to deliver the 2016 commencement address. President Robert H. Huntington has announced today that Aris M. Kaplanis, a Heidelberg alumnus who has more than 30 years of experience in the technology sector, will speak to the Class of 2016 during the May 15 ceremony. He will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

From 1991-2008, Kaplanis was the president and CEO of Teranet, a network of online services providing access to Ontario, Canada’s Land Registration System. As the largest public/private sector strategic alliance in the world, Teranet also provides services and solutions for legal, real estate, government and financial services markets.

During his tenure at Teranet, Kaplanis was twice nominated for the Globe & Mail CEO of the Year Award. Previously, he served as president of CEMCORP and executive vice president and general manager of Unisys Canada, a 1,000-employee joint venture that deals with business marketing, sales, research and development of full profit and loss responsibility.

Kaplanis earned his bachelor’s degree in economics with honors from Heidelberg in 1974. He completed advanced studies in business administration at the University of Akron and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

In addition to his successful business career, Kaplanis is a benefactor of his alma mater. In March 2015, Heidelberg announced the naming of The Aris M. Kaplanis Master of Business Administration Program. He has provided significant financial support that has strengthened the School of Business at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and is a strong supporter of the university’s PlusOneAdvantage Free MBA program, which had its genesis in discussions with him about two years ago. He also served as Executive-in-Residence at the School of Business in the fall semester of 2014.

In 2012, Kaplanis was awarded the Roman Catholic Church’s Papal Knighthood of St. Gregory, the highest distinction that can be given to a non-Catholic. He is also a recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal awarded for making a significant contribution to Canada, the community and the people of Canada.

He has made significant contributions of his time, skills and resources to numerous Canadian and American charities and he serves on many leadership groups. Currently, he serves on the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Foundation (chair), Travel Nation Canada (chair), Raptors Foundation Board, Operation Springboard Advisory Board, Reach for the Rainbow, Lawrence Enterprises Fund Board and Justin Eves Foundation.

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Staff report