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Pennsylvania State Sen. Arthur L. Haywood III — who represents the Fourth District, which includes parts of Montgomery and Philadelphia counties — will deliver the keynote address at the University’s 121st Commencement ceremony, scheduled at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020.
It will be the second ceremony by the University — following the spring commencement in May 2020 — to be held entirely online due to social distancing protocols in place for large gatherings of people as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But that hasn’t dampened Sen. Haywood’s enthusiasm for delivering what he believes to be an important message to Salus graduates: That they are future healthcare providers who will help lead us out of the pandemic.
“I believe that the students here at Salus are a core part of our future and will provide the hope, leadership and energy that we need to take us to the next step,” he said after pre-recording his keynote address, which was filmed on the Elkins Park campus Sept. 10. “Our young people have so many tremendous ideas, and I have a lot of confidence in their innovation. And, that’s the way we’re going to be able to solve problems like we have today, whether it’s this pandemic or a future one.”
Sen. Haywood’s address will also emphasize and add some context to other serious challenges the country is facing today, especially that of racial injustice.
As a result of his leadership, Sen. Haywood has worked to reduce homelessness through the expansion of the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Act, secured $195 million in federal funds for COVID-19 pandemic rent and mortgage and house assistance, passed requirements to test for lead in water in Pennsylvania schools, and successfully championed legislation to relocate domestic violence survivors living in public housing.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree and graduating magna cum laude from Morehouse College, Sen. Haywood went on to attend the London School of Economics as a Marshall Scholar to complete his master’s degree, and then graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1985.
He began working at Community Legal Services, saving families from foreclosures. He also worked at Regional Housing Legal Services, and in private practice as a lawyer, assisting nonprofit organizations to revitalize neighborhoods. He has previously served as legal counsel to Esperanza, a community development organization in the Hunting Park section of North Philadelphia.
In 2009, Sen. Haywood was inspired by President Barack Obama to run for township commissioner in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania. He won that election, and his work as commissioner included divesting pension money from gun-makers, starting the Sustainable Cheltenham initiative, and creating a non-discrimination ordinance for sexual orientation and gender identity. After serving as president of the Board of Commissioners in Cheltenham, he was elected State Senator for the Fourth District in 2014.
