Raymond G. Chambers, one of the nation's leading philanthropists; Gordon Bethune, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Continental Airlines; and musical powerhouse Cissy Houston will be awarded honorary degrees at commencement May 25.

Chambers, who has done most of his giving anonymously, is ranked 70th among the nation's top 100 donors by Worth magazine. One of his greatest philanthropic achievements has been his effort to revitalize Newark through the development of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, of which he is co-chair. His belief in the project is so strong that he was the first to pledge money, a total of $12 million, and the first to rally business and public officials to the cause. Most recently, he has worked toward developing a sports complex in downtown Newark that would become home to the New Jersey Nets and the New Jersey Devils, two sports teams in which he has ownership interest.

Chambers' giving is legendary. According to public records, Chambers donated more than $70.5 million, directly or through a network of foundations, since becoming wealthy through Wesray Capital Corporation, a private partnership specializing in leveraged buyouts, that he founded in 1981.

It has been estimated that Chambers has given more than $30 million through the MCJ Foundation, his family foundation in Morristown named after his three children: Michael, Christine and Jennifer. Another $10 million pledge created the Rigorous Educational Assistance for Deserving Youth (READY) program, which has helped thousands of disadvantaged schoolchildren in Newark. Chambers was born and raised in the West Ward of Newark. He worked his way through Rutgers University in Newark, playing the piano and keyboards in a band.

Bethune, a Houston resident, has been chief executive officer of Continental Airlines, the nation's fifth largest carrier, since 1994 and chair of the board since 1996. Under his leadership, Continental has achieved 18 consecutive profitable quarters and has been ranked as the second "most admired airline" by Fortune magazine. That same publication ranked Continental 40th among the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America."

In 1999, Bethune was ranked sixth among the 50 best CEOs in America by Worth, Business Week named him one of the top 25 Global Managers for 1996 and Business Travel News called him one of the business travel industry's 25 Most Influential Executives in 1998. Under his leadership, Continental Airlines has been responsible for the growth of Newark International Airport into one of the country's busiest terminals. Bethune authored the 1998 book, From Worst to First: Behind the Scenes of Continental's Remarkable Comeback, with Scott Huler.

A licensed commercial pilot, airframe and power plant mechanic, and president of the Wings Club, Bethune serves on the board of directors of ANC Rental Corporation, Honeywell and SYSCO Corporation. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Abilene Christian University at Dallas and is a 1992 graduate of Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program.

Emily "Cissy" Houston was touring at age 5 with her family's gospel group, the Drinkard Singers. The group appeared at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival and the undeniable inspiration of their performance led to an 1958 album, "A Joyful Noise."

The Drinkard Singers not only delivered their own great talents to the changing face of popular music, but also spawned music giants in the next two generations: Dionne Warwick is the daughter of Drinkard Singer Lee Warwicke (cq) and Whitney Houston is the daughter of Cissy.

In the 1960s, Cissy became part of the soul revolution when she joined three other young women with gospel backgrounds to form "The Sweet Inspirations." The group sang background vocals on many of the greatest soul recordings, notably those of Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett.

The group had its own hit record with "Sweet Inspiration," after which Elvis Presley asked the quartet to sing with him during his 1969 comeback tour in Las Vegas. Houston later pursued a solo career and had a 1971 hit with "Be My Baby."

She has toured the world, from Harlem's Apollo Theatre to the Yamaha Festival in Japan and has acted in Broadway plays. Houston had the pleasure of singing background on hits by her daughter, Whitney, including "How Will I Know" and "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)." They joined voices on the duet "I Know Him So Well."

Mother and daughter also work together on several charitable projects, including the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, Inc., of which Houston is president and CEO. For the past 20 years, Houston, a Newark resident, has been Minister of Music at Newark's Hope Baptist Church.