Kendall College Welcomes Kevin Boehm, Boka Restaurant Group Co-Founder, as 2017 Commencement Speaker

Graduation to be held June 24 at Chicago Symphony Center

News provided by

Jun 21, 2017, 13:02 ET

CHICAGO, June 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kendall College announced award-winning restauranteur Kevin Boehm has been named commencement speaker for the 2017 ceremony, which will be held Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Chicago Symphony Center at 10 a.m. CDT.

Boehm is the co-founder of Boka Restaurant Group and is considered one of the nation's most successful restaurant owner/operators. Since 2002, Boehm and his business partner Rob Katz have opened more than a dozen restaurants, making them one of the great chef-driven teams in the country.

Kevin Boehm, award winning restauranteur and co-founder of the Boka Restaurant Group, will serve as the 2017 Kendall College Commencement Speaker. The Kendall College ceremony will be held June 24 at the Chicago Symphony Center and will honor honor students from across the globe that have earned associate and bachelor’s degrees from the School of Culinary Arts, School of Hospitality Management, International School of Business and School of Early Childhood Education.

"We are thrilled to have Kevin address this year's group of Kendall College graduates," said Paul Lussow, president of Kendall College. "Kevin knows how to build successful businesses. But more than that, he understands how to overcome adversity. Kevin is a role model, and our students will be inspired by his story."

Boehm and Katz won "Restaurateurs of the Year" awards from Time Out Chicago in 2010 and the Chicago Tribune in 2011. They were also named Empire Builders of the Year by Eater National in 2011. In addition, they were James Beard semi-finalists for "Best Restaurateur in America" in 2015 and finalists in 2016 and 2017.

"I am honored to speak to and connect with this year's Kendall College graduating class," said Boehm. "Several Kendall College students and graduates have worked in our restaurants. They are knowledgeable, hardworking and eager to learn. These are the key ingredients for success – whether for a career in culinary arts, hospitality or business."

During the commencement ceremony, Kendall College will honor students from across the globe that have earned associate and bachelor's degrees from the School of Culinary Arts, School of Hospitality Management, International School of Business and School of Early Childhood Education.

For more information about Kendall College and its degree programs, visit www.kendall.edu.

About Kendall College:
Kendall College, founded in 1934 and located in Chicago, offers undergraduate degrees in culinary arts, hospitality management, business and early childhood education that combine strong academics with practical experience and international opportunities. Kendall College was ranked the No. 1 program in Chicago for preparing students for careers in hospitality management and culinary arts in a survey of hiring managers at Chicago's leading hotels and Michelin Guide restaurants (TNS Global - 2013 Survey). Kendall College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Kendall is one of more than 70 institutions in 25 countries that comprise the Laureate International Universities network. For more information about Kendall visit www.kendall.edu.