Hunger-combating activist Robert Egger, president and CEO of D.C. Central Kitchen in Washington, D.C., will speak and receive an honorary degree May 16, 2010 at Gettysburg College's 175th Commencement.

The 11 a.m. ceremony will take place on the north side of Pennsylvania Hall. Egger founded DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) after seeing an endless stream of food wasted by hotels and restaurants around Washington, D.C. DCCK collects leftover food and turns it into free meals for the homeless, while offering training and employment for homeless people who are interested in food service. Egger also developed a similar model for colleges and universities. Gettysburg College opened its Campus Kitchen in November 2007.

Graduates and their families can access all things Commencement, such as the complete schedule and information for graduates, on a mobile-friendly website.

Gettysburg College's Center for Public Service has a long-standing history of offering service opportunities for students at DCCK. The first-year seminar course, "Tryin' to Find a Way Back Home: An Introduction to the Literature and Legacy of Homelessness in America," includes a five-day trip to Washington, D.C., where students volunteer at DCCK.

"Gettysburg College is our longest serving collegiate partner at DCCK, and their students are truly top drawer thinkers and doers," Egger recently blogged.

In addition to Egger receiving a Doctor of Public Service, honorary degrees will be presented to three individuals who are accomplished in their fields. The individuals and their degrees include: Edwin Bearss, who served as chief historian for the National Parks Service, Doctor of Humane Letters; Todd DeGarmo, president of the international design firm STUDIOS Architecture, Doctor of Fine Arts; Donna Schaper, senior minister of the Judson Memorial Church in New York, Doctor of Divinity.

About Egger

In 2000, Egger was awarded the Bender Prize for Community Service, and in 2001 he received Oprah Winfrey's Angel Network's $100,000 "Use Your Life Award." He was named one of Washingtonian Magazine's 2001 "Washingtonians of the Year" as well as being named one of the ten most "Caring People in America" by the Caring Institute. In 2005, he was awarded the Volunteers of America Community Service Award and traveled to 17 cities to foster a larger conversation about hunger, homelessness and poverty. Egger was included in the Non Profit Times' list of the "50 Most Powerful and Influential Nonprofit Leaders" from 2006-2009.

In his book "Begging for Change," Egger encourages nonprofits to be more innovative and results-driven, corporate and non-profit leaders to be more focused and responsible and citizens who contribute their time and money to be smarter and more demanding of nonprofits. His book was awarded the 2005 McAdams Prize for "Best Nonprofit Management Book" by the Alliance for Nonprofit Management.

Contact: Kendra Martin, director of media relations

Posted: Mon, 10 May 2010