(Photo provided by SMU )
SMU announced Wednesday afternoon that U.S. trade representative and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk would be the 2010 May Commencement speaker.
Commencement activities take place on May 15 at 9:30 a.m. Approximately 2,000 degrees are expected to be conferred that day to undergraduate, graduate and professional students during individual school ceremonies throughout the day.
“As Commencement speaker, Ambassador Kirk brings the perspective of one whose leadership has been local, national and now international,” SMU President R. Gerald Turner said in a press release. “As Dallas mayor he helped to establish the city as a gateway to the global community. Now, as Trade Representative, he is shaping U.S. policy and international relationships to open new world markets and broaden economic opportunities for the United States. Our graduates will be inspired by his words and the example of leadership he has set.”
President Barack Obama named Kirk as trade representative in 2009. In that position, Kirk works as a spokesperson and advisor on trading issues, as well as a negotiator with other countries in the area of trade.
Kirk served as the mayor of Dallas from 1995 to 2001 and as Texas Secretary of State from 1994 to 1995 under Gov. Ann Richards. He is on the SMU Hart Global Leaders Forum advisory board and was named an honorary alumnus of the SMU Dedman School of Law in 2001.
“As mayor of Dallas, Mr. Kirk helped to strengthen our community by reducing crime, encouraging civic engagement and building the city’s capacity to attract major businesses,” Student Body President Patrick Kobler said in a press release. “His experience is a perfect match for the Commencement ceremony at SMU as a university that produces civic leaders who embody a global perspective.”
