Vice President Dick Cheney will come to Penn next month to speak at the dedication of Huntsman Hall, University officials confirmed today.
Cheney, who was invited by Jon Huntsman, will speak during a private ceremony on the morning of Oct. 25.
Cheney will deliver a tribute to Huntsman, the 1959 Wharton graduate, University Trustee and businessman who donated $40 million of the $140 million used to construct the new building located at 38th and Walnut streets.
"We don't expect Mr. Cheney to make any kind of policy address," Wharton spokeswoman Meghan Laska said. "We expect his remarks to focus on his relationship with Mr. Huntsman, Mr. Huntsman's public service, philanthropy and business leadership."
Cheney's speech, which will be held at 9 a.m. in the auditorium of Huntsman Hall, will be open only to the Huntsman family, their friends and certain University administrators. Students and the general public will not be admitted.
Security surrounding the Vice President's visit will be tight, according to Penn Police. The department has been in touch with the Secret Service, but the two agencies have not yet worked out details of what special security measures will be taken.
The Vice President's press office could not be reached for comment last night, and does not typically comment on Cheney's travel plans more than 48 hours in advance.
Huntsman, who is chairman and chief executive officer of the Utah-based Huntsman Corporation, is a close friend of Cheney's and has been active in Republican politics for over 30 years. He served in the administration of President Richard Nixon and chaired the Utah campaigns of former presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush in 1980, 1984 and 1988.
In addition, the current presidential administration appointed one of Huntsman's sons, Jon Huntsman, Jr., to serve as U.S. deputy trade representative.
Cheney's visit will be the highlight of a dedication weekend which will include a larger, open ceremony on Friday, Oct. 25, a lecture by Wharton Professor Jeremy Siegel and an alumni ice hockey game.
Huntsman Hall opened its doors for the first time at the beginning of this semester. Construction on the building began in 1999 and remained fairly close to schedule throughout the project.
Currently, the undergraduate and graduate divisions of Legal Studies, Marketing, Statistics and Operations and Information Management are housed in the new building.
