News Releases
Restaurant executive speaks at December commencement
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
An attorney who has held a number of leadership roles in the restaurant industry will address Valparaiso University graduates at mid-year commencement ceremonies on Sunday, Dec. 16.
Paul Strasen, who held the position of vice president and general counsel of Houlihan’s Restaurants until earlier this year and a 1978 Valparaiso honors graduate, will give the commencement address.
Approximately 200 students will be recognized in ceremonies honoring degree candidates from the School of Law, Division of Graduate Studies and the University’s undergraduate colleges. Ceremonies begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Resurrection on campus.
Strasen joined Einstein/Noah Bagel Corp. in 1995 as vice president and general counsel. After the sale of the Einstein/Noah business in 2001, he became part of the management team of Phoenix Restaurant Partners, specializing in the financial restructuring of trouble restaurant companies.
Strasen assumed his duties at Houlihan’s in 2001 after Phoenix was engaged to manage the Kansas City-based company. Phoenix acquired a majority equity interest in Houlihan’s upon its emergence from bankruptcy in 2002 and held that majority interest until earlier this year, when a private equity investor purchased control of Houlihan’s.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities and political science from Valparaiso and studied in Christ College, the University’s interdisciplinary honors college. Strasen earned his law degree from the University of Chicago and joined Chicago-based law firm Bell, Boyd and Lloyd, where he became a partner in 1987.
Strasen, who lives in Littleton, Colo., has served as a member of Valparaiso’s Board of Directors since 2004 and is a former member of the Christ College National Council.
A parking shuttle service will be provided to people attending commencement ceremonies. Shuttles will run to the Chapel from the campus parking lot south of the Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources, the lot south of Kretzmann Hall and the lot northwest of the Valparaiso Union.
Shuttle service will begin at 1:30 p.m. and also be offered at the conclusion of the event.
Drivers of vehicles transporting persons with physical disabilities may drop off passengers at a turnaround on the north side of Chapel of the Resurrection.
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