U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan will speak as part of the Wharton MBA Commencement on May 15, officials announced yesterday.
Wharton Dean Patrick Harker will present Greenspan, who has served in his current role for the last 18 years, with the Dean's Medal for his public service at a 5:30 p.m. ceremony in Huntsman Hall.
If second-year MBA student Marissa Riley's reaction is any indication, Wharton graduate students are delighted with the choice.
"I am very happy. It will be great to have someone who is such a prominent member of the economic community speak to us," she said.
Born in New York City in 1926, Greenspan took office in 2004 for an unprecedented fifth term as chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, which oversees the country's monetary policy. He served as chairman under presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
His time at the helm of the Fed has earned him widespread influence over U.S. economic policy.
In addition, Greenspan has had a connection to the University of Pennsylvania since marrying NBC correspondent Andrea Mitchell in 1997. Mitchell has served on the University Board of Trustees since 1992.
Greenspan was previously cheered by Wharton students in 1998, when he was awarded an honorary degree from the University while his wife delivered the Baccalaureate Address. Mitchell graduated from the University in 1967 and began her career working in Philadelphia at KYW-AM radio.
Greenspan has significantly more national prominence than last year's MBA Commencement speaker, Klaus Zumwinkel, the chairman of Deutsche Post, Europe's largest postal-service company.
For Riley, who had expected another Wharton alumnus like Zumwinkel to speak, "Greenspan exceeded my expectations. To have someone who I've actually heard of ... is great."
Greenspan may also be able to share his inside knowledge of current issues with Commencement attendees.
"He'll be able to shed insight on some of the pressing issues of the day, like social security and health care," Riley said.
