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4/26/2004
Contact: K.E. Schwab --
724-738-2199; e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu
For a photo of Gov. Rendell: CLICK
HERE
May 8 Event Set –
GOV. RENDELL TO SPEAK AT SLIPPERY ROCK
UNIVERSITY’S COMMENCEMENT
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell will
be the speaker when Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania holds
its 115th spring commencement, presenting diplomas to 30
doctor of physical therapy graduates, 112 master’s degree
recipients and more than 700 undergraduates at 11 a.m. May 8
ceremonies.
Commencement
will be held in N. Kerr Thompson Stadium, with no tickets required.
(The ceremony will be moved to Morrow Field House in the event of
inclement weather with tickets, previously provided to graduating
seniors, required for admission.) SRU Interim President Robert
Smith will preside and confer all degrees.
Rendell
was inaugurated as the commonwealth’s 45th governor Jan. 21,
2003, and serves as chief executive of the nation’s fifth
most populous state overseeing a $21 billion budget. In his first
actions, he presented “The Plan for a New Pennsylvania”
which is designed to return $1.5 billion to taxpayers and gives
homeowners an average of 30 percent in tax relief. His plan
also works to close the resource gap between school districts while
at the same time investing up to $1.25 billion annually to fund
proven programs that boost student achievement within three
years.
He also outlined an economic stimulus program to invest
nearly $2 billion in bonds and loan guarantees to leverage an
additional $5 billion in private investment in economic development
projects across the state.
From
1992 through 1999, Gov. Rendell served as the 121st
mayor of the Philadelphia. Before serving as mayor, he had twice
been elected district attorney of Philadelphia. Among his
accomplishments as mayor, Rendell eliminated a $250 million
deficit, balanced the city's budget and generated five consecutive
budget surpluses.
Rendell, who served
as general chair of the Democratic National Committee during the
2000 presidential election, has been active in the community
through a variety of board memberships on boards. He also teaches
two government and politics courses at the University of
Pennsylvania where he is a graduate, and he holds a juris doctorate
from Villanova Law School. He is a U.S. Army
veteran.
He is married to
Marjorie O. Rendell, a judge on the United States Court of Appeals
for the Third Circuit.
Dr. Robert Marcus, chair of
the SRU Council of Trustees will bring greetings from the trustees,
and Dr. William F. Williams, provost and vice president for
academic affairs, will present the candidates for their degrees and
the university will posthumously award Rose Palmer of Ellwood
City a diploma. The SRU Army ROTC unit will present the flags, and
Lt. Col. William Bialozor, head of the ROTC department, will
deliver the oath of office to nine graduates being commissioned as
second lieutenants. In addition, William G. Kirker, president of
the SRU Alumni Association, will induct the graduates as member of
the association.
Music for the
ceremony will be provided by the SRU Brass Quintet, and Kathryn D.
Miller as organist. Glenna Cypher, a graduating music major from
Evans City, will present the national anthem, and Michael Sypien of
Pittsburgh, Christopher Keiper of Beaver Falls, Jeff Frankenstein
of Moon Township, and Mark Erickson of New Wilmington will lead the
singing of the SRU Alma Mater.
A reception for
all graduates and their guests will follow the ceremony in the
University Union.
PN, PgN, WPN, PR, PT –
Gov.
Rendell photo available at www.SRU.edu
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