At Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 17, Suffolk University will award honorary degrees to three distinguished leaders in government, higher education, and technology who share a commitment to principled service in challenging times.  

California Congressman Ro Khanna has emerged as a leading progressive voice in the US House of Representatives, working to restore American manufacturing and technology leadership, improve the lives of working people, and advance US leadership on climate, human rights, and diplomacy around the world.  

Robert C. Lamb, Jr., has served as chair of the Suffolk University Board of Trustees for nearly a decade, following a career in the top echelons of the banking industry, including serving as CFO for a major bank. At Suffolk, he has brought the highest ethical standards to the University’s governance while fostering a culture of integrity, care, and continuous improvement.

College of Arts & Sciences

Ro Khanna

Congressman Ro Khanna represents California’s 17th Congressional District, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and is serving his fifth term. A Democrat, he has worked across the aisle to deliver on legislation to invest in science and technology, create millions of good paying tech jobs, and revitalize American manufacturing and production.  

Khanna is vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and serves on the House Armed Services Committee. He is committed to using his position to advance a foreign policy of military restraint and diplomatic engagement, and favors investing in domestic priorities like Medicare for All, affordable childcare, and free public college and vocational school.  

As the former chair of the Environmental Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, Khanna brought the CEOs of six major fossil fuel companies before Congress to testify under oath about climate disinformation for the first time in history. Together with Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), Khanna has also led congressional efforts for a full release of the Epstein files.  

Khanna graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in economics from the University of Chicago and received a law degree from Yale University.  

Sawyer Business School

Robert C. Lamb, Jr. 

As chair of the Suffolk University Board of Trustees for nearly a decade, Robert C. Lamb, Jr., has brought the highest ethical standards to the University’s governance while fostering a culture of integrity, care, and continuous improvement. Lamb joined the Suffolk board as a charter trustee and chair in 2016, and has led with a deep commitment to the University’s essential mission and to the vital role that Suffolk plays in preparing students for professional success and positive community impact. 

Lamb’s distinguished career includes serving as chief financial officer of major financial institutions, managing a $2.3 billion initial public offering on NASDAQ, and chairing the audit committee of a New York Stock Exchange company.  

He later served as chair and CEO of Allied International Holdings, Inc., and held executive vice president/chief financial officer roles at FleetBoston Financial Group and KPMG Consulting Inc.  

A West Point graduate and former infantry officer, Lamb also brings extensive nonprofit leadership experience to his work with the Suffolk board. He holds an MBA from Long Island University. 

Suffolk University Law School

Cheree McAlpine, JD ’94

Cheree McAlpine, JD ’94, brings more than 25 years of global legal leadership in the technology sector to her role as chief legal officer at Zoom, where she plays a key role in helping the tech company grapple with the lightning pace of technological change.  

She joined the company in 2024 and oversees a worldwide team responsible for commercial, product compliance, privacy, and regulatory matters, guiding Zoom through complex issues such as AI governance, global data regulation, and user trust and safety.  

Previously, she served as senior vice president and general counsel at Intercom and held executive legal roles at Lumileds Inc., Avnet Americas, and Wyse Technology, where she managed the company’s successful sale to Dell. She was named one of Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Lawyers in Corporate America (2024) and one of the Top 100 Diverse Leaders in Technology (2022).

McAlpine earned her law degree from Suffolk University Law School and her BA in English from the University of Alabama.