Secretary of Treasury to speak at graduation

by Katie O'Dowd / senior writer

The 73rd U. S. Secretary of the Treasury will be the commencement speaker for graduation on May 7.

The university extended an invitation to John Snow after a commencement speakers committee of students compiled a list of potential graduation speakers. The committee put forth names the university has some connection to, and would be of interest to the students, JMU spokesman Andy Perrine said.

President George W. Bush nominated Snow as Secretary of the Treasury in 2003. Snow works closely with President Bush on matters of economic policy and world debt, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury Web site.

"We have always had speakers that are of interest to our students," said Glenda Rooney, assistant to the provost. "[Snow] is a very timely speaker." Snow was chairman and chief executive officer of CSX Corporation for 20 years before assuming his treasury position, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury Web site.

"As chairman of the [CSX Corporation], Snow did great things," Perrine said.

Snow has a long history working in the government. He also served at the Department of Transportation as administrator of the national highway traffic safety administration, deputy undersecretary, assistant secretary for the governmental affairs, and deputy assistant secretary for policy, plans and international affairs, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury Web site.

Snow was a major player in the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury Web site.

"Secretary Snow is in a very lofty position in our government, and I think JMU students benefit whenever they get to hear comments from anyone in such an influential position," Perrine said.

Student Body President Tom Culligan said, "It’s a big honor that the secretary of treasury would take the time to join us and share with us his advice and experiences in both the business and public service fields."

"He is a very accomplished man and also a major public figure and I am looking forward to what he has to say," Culligan added.

"I’m really excited for graduation," senior Denise Wampler said. "It will be a ceremony that recognizes what we’ve done at JMU and what we will take into the real world."