Former New York City mayor and Time Magazine's Person of the Year Rudolph W. Giuliani will address the 2002 graduates of Syracuse University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) during joint Commencement exercises Sunday, May 12, in the Carrier Dome.
"We are truly honored to have Rudy Giuliani speak at our 2002 Commencement exercises," said Syracuse University Chancellor and President Kenneth A. Shaw. "His remarkable leadership of a city and nation will speak strongly to our graduates as we send off our leaders of tomorrow."
Giuliani's "can do" attitude inspired New York City and the nation in the emotional, physical and financial recovery from the most devastating terrorist attacks in America's history. Giuliani's leadership during this period and his eloquence under pressure made him a global symbol of healing and defiance, and inscribed his name among the greatest mayors in the nation's history.
During his eight years as New York City mayor, Giuliani improved the quality of life for all New Yorkers by reducing taxes and onerous regulations, reducing crime, sparking the economy and launching the largest and most successful workfare program in the city's history. As a result, the city experienced an unprecedented 57 percent reduction in overall crime, cut welfare rolls in half, reduced taxes by $2.5 billion and created a record number of new jobs.
A Bronx native, Giuliani, 57, graduated from Manhattan College in 1965 and New York University Law School, magna cum laude, in 1968. After serving as law clerk to a federal district judge, he held various positions in the U. S. Justice Department, including associate attorney general and U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He was elected mayor in 1993 and re-elected in 1997. The New York City term-limit law prevented him from running for re-election in 2001. Along with being named Time Magazine's Person of the Year, he recently received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his leadership following September 11.
A student committee consisting of two nominated representatives from each of Syracuse University's 11 schools selected Giuliani as the Commencement speaker. After arriving at the decision to invite Giuliani to address graduates at the 148th Commencement exercises, the committee worked with University administration to confirm him as the speaker.
Officially chartered in 1870 as a private, coeducational institution of higher education, Syracuse University is a leading student-centered research university. Syracuse's 11 schools and colleges share a common mission: to promote learning through teaching, research, scholarship, creative accomplishment and service while embracing the core values of quality, caring, diversity, innovation and service. The 680-acre campus is home to more than 18,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 90 countries.
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