U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will be the spring commencement speaker at North Dakota State University.
NDSU President Dean Bresciani said Gates agreed to speak at the May 14 ceremony as a personal favor to him.
Gates, a former president of Texas A&M University, hired Bresciani as vice president
for student affairs in 2004. Gates was one of Bresciani's references when Bresciani applied for the NDSU presidency.
"I wanted to do something special to thank everyone and North Dakota for the opportunity I have here," Bresciani said. "I couldn't think of someone who'd be more unique and exciting for our graduating students to hear than Secretary of Defense Gates."
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Gates was sworn in as secretary of defense in 2006. He is the only secretary of defense in U.S. history to be asked to remain in office by a newly elected president.
Gates also will speak at a May 22 commencement at the University of Notre Dame.
An NDSU spokeswoman said this is the first time university officials recall having a speaker of such national prominence. NDSU traditionally has students as commencement speakers.
Shawn Affolter, NDSU's student body vice president who will graduate in May, said students were excited to hear the news Wednesday.
"It's not often that a person sixth in line to the president of the United States visits our campus or our state," Affolter said. "This will be a tremendous opportunity for students to hear from a man of distinguished character and leadership."
There is no fee for Gates' appearance or his travel, Bresciani said.
Commencement is at 10 a.m. May 14 at the Fargodome. There will be one combined ceremony is for undergraduate, graduate and professional students.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Amy Dalrymple at (701) 241-5590
