Richard Wagoner, chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors Corporation, will deliver the 2007 commencement address, University officials announced Monday.
"It's a real honor to be asked to speak at such an important occasion for Duke University, this year's graduates, and their families and friends," Wagoner told The Chronicle in an e-mail Monday night. "I really look forward to this opportunity."
President Richard Brodhead said in a statement he was grateful that Wagoner had agreed to speak at this year's graduation ceremony.
"He loves this university and has served it in a thousand ways," Brodhead said. "He'll be great at helping our graduates look into their futures."
Wagoner, Trinity '75, is co-chair of the Financial Aid Initiative and a member of the Board of Trustees, serving on the board's executive, trusteeship and student affairs committees. Wagoner also serves on the Fuqua School of Business Board of Visitors.
After receiving his master's degree in business administration from Harvard University in 1977, Wagoner joined GM, first working as an analyst in the company's New York treasurer's office. He then served in leadership positions in Brazil, Canada and Switzerland before he was promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer in 1992.
He began worldwide purchasing for the company in 1993 and became executive vice president of GM and president of North American Operations the following year.
In 1998, Wagoner was elected president and chief operating officer, before becoming GM's youngest CEO in history at the age of 47 in 2000. He took on the role of chairman in 2003.
"He is someone who is recognized around the world as one of the most important people in business but beyond that he is a person with great international understanding and also someone with strong Duke ties," said John Burness, senior vice president for government affairs and public relations.
Wagoner and his wife Kathy, Trinity '77, have three sons, one of whom, Trip, graduated from the University in May, and a second, Scott, who is currently a junior. Wagoner's father, sister and brother-in-law are also Duke graduates.
"Like all our graduates, when he left Duke, Rick went off to see what he could make of the opportunities of his time," Brodhead said. "In the process, he became CEO in one of America's biggest and most challenging businesses and a leader whose strength and integrity are known throughout the world."
Senior Andrew Longenecker, a member of the commencement committee, said he looks forward to hearing Wagoner speak.
"He'll give a great speech," Longenecker said in a statement. "He will impart a lot of knowledge and energy to the graduates."
John Hope Franklin, world-renowned African-American scholar and James B. Duke professor emeritus of history, delivered the commencement address last spring. Duke's 2005 commencement speaker was Ricardo Lagos, then-president of Chile. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright spoke in 2004.
Wagoner will give his speech to graduates and their friends and families May 13.
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