TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Millard Fuller, founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International, will be the featured speaker for The University of Alabama’s winter commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 18 at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus.

Fuller, an alumnus of the UA School of Law, will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters during the 9 a.m. ceremony. Approximately 1,000 degrees will be conferred.

Founded in 1976 by Fuller and his wife Linda, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide. The homes are sold to those in need at no profit, through no-interest loans. Habitat is at work in 100 countries and has grown into one of the top house builders in the United States—and the largest among nonprofits. More than 900,000 people now have safe, decent, affordable shelter because of Habitat for Humanity’s work around the world.

At age 29, already a self-made millionaire, Fuller said he re-evaluated his values and direction. He and his wife decided to sell all of their possessions, give the money to the poor and begin searching for a new focus for their lives. This search led them to Koinonia Farm, a community near Americus, Ga, where people were said to be looking for practical ways to apply Christ’s teachings. Out of their time there, came the model that would become Habitat for Humanity.

Fuller has received many achievement awards and more than 50 honorary doctorate degrees in fields such as law and public service for his leadership toward attempts to eliminate poverty housing worldwide. He is also the author of nine books about his life and work with Habitat for Humanity, including his most recent, “Building Materials for Life, Volume II.”