Mason has released its list of speakers for 2014 spring commencement. David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-CEO of The Carlyle Group, will speak at the main 2014 spring commencement ceremony.

The Carlyle Group is a global asset management firm. Founded in 1987, the group has grown into the third largest private equity firm in the world. Rubenstein has an estimated wealth of $3 billion, and has used it to leave a positive impact on the Washington D.C. community.

Rubenstein also owns one of four original copies of the Magna Carta and the first map of the United States, both of which he loans to the National Archives and the Library of Congress respectively. He has paid for half of the reconstruction of the Washington Monument, musical equipment for the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the panda habitat at the National Zoo.

Other colleges and schools within the university will host individual convocation ceremonies with topical speakers during the week.

Among the other convocation speakers is Provost Peter Stearns, who will speak to the College of Health and Human Sciences. Stearns will be stepping down from his position this year is stepping down as provost.

At commencement, degrees will be awarded to the students by President Cabrera.  Ph.D. graduates are recognized individually while Masters’ and Bachelors’ graduates are recognized.

“Students will walk from North Plaza to Patriot Center, and we’d like them to touch the toe of the statue for good luck. We feel it’s very traditional,” said Barbra Lubar, the executive director of events management. “There’s a lot of convocations and stuff with focus on their major, commencement is focused on the university with their friends and family.”