Worcester Railers Hockey Club owner Cliff Rucker will deliver Becker College’s commencement address this May, the college announced Thursday.
Rucker, who is heavily involved with the redevelopment of Worcester, was selected because he is an example of innovation and social impact, Becker’s president, Robert E. Johnson, said in a statement. He and Manny Lopes, CEO and president of East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, will receive honorary doctoral degrees at commencement.
In addition to being the founder and owner of the Railers, Rucker is building a 100,000-square-foot facility in the Canal District with two hockey rinks where the Railers and other local hockey teams — including the Becker Hawks — can practice. The facility will have a restaurant, exercise science workrooms, retail shops, and other venues. He also founded NFS Leasing, a multidisciplinary equipment leasing firm, and NEXL, an information-technology services provider.
