Jose Koshy, class of ’76, an accomplished business leader and advocate for international students and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), will deliver the keynote address during 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2024. The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on the front campus lawn.
Koshy’s illustrious career includes management roles at several Fortune 500 companies in the telecommunications sector. Currently, he serves as the executive vice president of Houston, Texas-based Tribocor Technologies Inc., a leading specialty manufacturer in the energy industry.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Jose Koshy and his wife Jean Koshy-Hertzler ’79 are actively engaged in philanthropy and community activism. Their generous contributions to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ have amplified the university’s DEI initiatives, establishing scholarships for international students and fostering a culture of belonging through inclusive excellence grants.
“We are excited to welcome Mr. Jose Koshy to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ to deliver the keynote address to the class of 2024,” said President Susan Schultz Huxman. “He is a great storyteller, and his own journey through 91¶ÌÊÓƵ as an international student is one of those beautiful stories. He and his wife, Jean, experienced a transformative educational journey at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ that featured strong relational connections with faculty, staff, alumni and community friends.”
Jose Koshy credits the guidance and mentorship shown by former Eastern Mennonite College Academic Dean Ira Miller and Learning Resources Director Milo Stahl — who loved and nurtured students of all colors, faiths and cultures — as foundational to his advocacy.
Huxman added that Jose Koshy and his family “have forever been most appreciative and given back in extraordinary ways to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ to assist international students, provide faculty fellowships, and sponsor inclusive excellence grants to faculty, staff and students.” “In their community work in Houston, Jose and Jean are still modeling the values they learned at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ to share Jesus’ teachings of peacemaking and nonviolence through their community activism and giving,” shared Huxman.
Jose Koshy is a 1972 graduate of Eastern Mennonite High School. He attended Eastern Mennonite College for three years before transferring to James Madison University and earning a bachelor’s degree in communications (a program not then offered at EMC).
He and his wife live in Houston, Texas. They have three daughters.
To livestream the commencement address, visit 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s .ÌýFor a complete schedule of commencement weekend activities, go to theÌýCommencement Events page.Ìý
I am delighted to hear that Jose Koshy will be the speaker. I plan to be at the service, on the edge, with my unwieldy walker.