BU's dean of students named orator for 2019 Independence Day celebration

"We're honored to have Dean Elmore serve as our Independence Day Orator this year," said Mayor Walsh. "Dean Elmore has dedicated his career to making sure students feel included, respected and safe, and I look forward to him joining the wonderful orators we've had in past years as we mark this important and celebratory day in our nation's history." 

Elmore will join a distinguished and diverse list of orators for the ceremony, which dates back to 1773. Past orators include: John Quincy Adams, John F. Kennedy, Horace Mann, Keith Lockhart and Julia Child. 

"I am overwhelmed by the honor of delivering this historic oration," said Dean Elmore. "I'm proud to help lead the day's celebrations, and join an incredible history of Independence Day Orators in Boston." 

In addition to the oration, The City of Boston's Independence Day Celebration schedule is as follows:

All times shown are approximate and are subject to change. 

• 9 a.m. - Official celebration begins at City Hall Plaza with a brief speaking program at the flagpoles lead by Mayor Martin J. Walsh.
• 9:20 a.m. - The marching units and dignitaries assemble and proceed from City Hall Plaza to Tremont Street.
• 9:30 a.m. - The procession halts  at the Old Granary Burial Ground where Sam Adams, John Hancock, Peter Faneuil and Robert Treat Paine are honored and then continues to Winter Street to Washington Street to Old State House.
• 9:40 a.m. - The Declaration of Independence is read by Captain Commanding Nicholas Schiarizzi of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company at the Old State House balcony, from which the Declaration of Independence was first read to Bostonians in 1776, by a member of the Ancients.
• 10 a.m. - Procession reforms from Congress Street to North Street and ends at Faneuil Hall.
• 10:15 a.m. - Patriotic Exercises are held at Faneuil Hall, with remarks from Mayor Walsh, oration by Dean Kenneth Elmore  and patriotic musical selections.

The Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment is committed to producing fun, free, public, family-friendly events for the people of Boston and visitors to enjoy. For more information, please call 617-635-3911, visit the Summer website, or check out @VisitBostonCity on Twitter. City Hall Plaza is accessible by MBTA via Haymarket (Orange and Green), State Street (Orange and Blue) or Park Street (Green and Red).

As Associate Provost and Dean of Students, Kenneth Elmore coordinates University efforts to provide a safe environment, where students can find their way within a vibrant academic community. He additionally works with the President and Provost to raise philanthropic support for undergraduate student scholarships, and shares leadership and management of projects associated with student-focused facilities, physical infrastructure, and capital projects.

Kenn's duties as Dean of Students include advising student organizations, planning ways to acclimate students to the University, setting and regulating standards, offering academic support, helping students navigate career goals, making certain the University experience is accessible, and creating a vibrant and welcoming living-learning environment. The offices reporting to Ken -- the Community Service Center, Disability Services, Howard Thurman Center, Judicial Affairs, Orientation, Residence Life, Student Activities -- respond to student concerns, help students solve their problems, and help students build communities.