University Trustee Emerson U. Fullwood speaks at East Graduation

University of Rochester trustee and retired longtime Xerox executive Emerson U. Fullwood will deliver the keynote address at East Upper School’s graduation on Saturday, June 23, as the East High and University of Rochester communities celebrate the Class of 2018 with a ceremony in the Edward J. Cavalier Auditorium at East. 

“Emerson Fullwood represents a strong leader and an incredible role model for our scholars preparing for the next stages of their life,” says Dr. Shaun Nelms, superintendent, East EPO. “He will undoubtedly inspire our graduates, their families and friends during his address.”

The former corporate vice president of Xerox Corporation, Fullwood was appointed to the board of trustees in 2017. He will deliver a powerful speech, titled “The Journey: What’s It Going to Take?”

Fullwood retired from Xerox Corp. in 2008 after working 36 years there in a variety of executive and general management leadership positions, including director of large global office products and systems businesses, president of Xerox worldwide channels group, president of Latin America, president of worldwide customer services group, and executive chief staff officer of developing markets group. In his most recent assignment, Fullwood was executive chief of staff and marketing officer for Xerox North America.

He serves on several business, higher education, and philanthropic boards. He is lead director of SPX Flow Corporation; a director of Vanguard Group and Vanguard Funds; a former director of Amerigroup Corporation and General Signal Corporation; and vice-chair at North Carolina A&T University. Fullwood is also a board member at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Roberts Wesleyan College, Monroe Community College Foundation, the Rochester Urban League, United Way of Greater Rochester, and Rochester Boy Scouts of America. He previously served on the board of the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. In 2009, Rochester Institute of Technology named Fullwood its Minett Professor, and he served for several years as executive-in-residence at RIT’s Saunders College of Business.

Fullwood was recognized in 2007 by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the “75 Most Powerful African-Americans in Corporate America,” and in 2004 by VAR Business magazine as one of the “Top 100 Executives” responsible for supporting computer resellers. He has received numerous leadership and service awards.

Fullwood earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from North Carolina State University, an MBA in marketing from Columbia University, and an honorary doctorate from North Carolina A&T University.

Approximately 115 students from the Class of 2018 will receive diplomas the morning of June 23. Among them is valedictorian Tijanna Stephens and salutatorian Sannicka Thompson.

The East graduation ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 23. For more information, visit East’s website at www.rcsdk12.org/east.