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April 5, 2007

Ex-Gov. Ridge to speak at commencement

Tom Ridge, former Pennsylvania governor and first secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security, will deliver Pitt’s 2007 commencement address April 29 at the Petersen Events Center.

Ridge, 61, graduated with honors from Harvard University in 1967. After his first year at The Dickinson School of Law, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

After returning to Pennsylvania, he completed his law degree and went into private practice before becoming assistant district attorney in Erie County. He was elected to U.S. Congress in 1982, serving as the first enlisted Vietnam combat veteran in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was re-elected to that position five times. He became governor of Pennsylvania in 1995.

Ridge was named assistant to the president at the new Office of Homeland Security following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. When the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was created in 2003, Ridge was named secretary.

Ridge now consults on a variety of issues, including security, international relations, economic development, civil institution-building, technology and education. He serves on public and private boards and is chair of the National Organization on Disability.

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Pitt’s regional campuses are preparing their podiums for commencement speakers from inside and outside the University this spring.

Pitt Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor James V. Maher will address graduates at Pitt-Greensburg’s commencement on April 28.

Pitt-Bradford has scheduled Gov. Edward G. Rendell as its speaker on April 29.

Pitt-Titusville will welcome Emil M. Spadafore Jr. as its commencement speaker on April 29. Spadafore is chairman of the UPT advisory board.

Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg is the scheduled speaker at Pitt-Johnstown’s graduation on May 5.


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