Arizona governor to address grads

By Katie Dooling

Santa Clara President Paul Locatelli, S.J. selected former Santa Clara graduate and Arizona governor Janet Napolitano to speak at the undergraduate commencement this June.

Assistant to President Locatelli, George Giacomini oversees the president's involvement in each year's graduation ceremony and said that a speaker like Napolitano will make an impact on the graduating class.

ìNapolitano is [a Santa Clara alumna] who has been recently appointed to a significant position-- and she's a woman,î Giacomini said.

Karrie Grasser, event planning manager for the commencement ceremony, said that Napolitano will prove to be a great choice for the graduation ceremony keynote speaker.

ìI think she was the natural choice,î said Grasser.

Napolitano said that she is excited for the opportunity to address this year's graduating class.

ìWhen Father Locatelli asked me [to be this year's keynote speaker], I thought it was a great honor,î Napolitano said. ìI got a wonderful education at Santa Clara and I am grateful for that, so I want to be helpful to them in any way.î

Napolitano impacted the Santa Clara community as a student, as well. According to Giacomini, Napolitano was a prominent figure on campus during her years at Santa Clara.

Napolitano, a political science major, was an active member of her 1979 class. According to Giacomini, Napolitano was granted the prestigious Truman Scholarship for her work in public service.

In addition to merely enjoying her experiences at Santa Clara, Napolitano credits some of her success to her years at Santa Clara.

ìI think I took a sense of knowledge in a whole lot of areas with help from an excellent faculty,î Napolitano said, ìI got a sense of community and place, and I think that is something I was able to act on.î

Napolitano has previous experience speaking at Santa Clara because she was the valedictorian of her class in 1979, according to Giacomini.

According to a recent press release from Santa Clara, ìNapolitano will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Locatelli.î

Napolitano will not be the only prominent speaker at the 2003 graduation ceremony. According to Giacomini, California Supreme Court Justice Edward Panelli will speak briefly, as well.

Giacomini said that Panelli is stepping down from his position as Chairman of Santa Clara's Board of Trustees after 19 years and is adressing the class of 2003 at this year's commencement ceremonies.

Among the other speakers at this year's graduation ceremony will be Locatelli and this year's valedictorian. According to Giacomini, the valedictorian of the class of 2003 has been chosen, but not disclosed.