House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
(All members of the media must RSVP by May 9. Email SJSU Media Relations Director Pat Harris at pat.harris@sjsu.edu. Plan to report to the west entrance of Spartan Stadium no later than 8:30 a.m. May 23.)
Media contact:
Pat Harris, SJSU Media Relations Director, pat.harris@sjsu.edu, 408-924-1748
SAN JOSE, CA – San Jose State University announced today that House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will serve as its 2015 Commencement speaker. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. May 23 at Spartan Stadium.
“As the only woman to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and as a longtime advocate for students and working families, Leader Pelosi is an ideal role model for our graduates,” said SJSU President Mohammad Qayoumi. “She has had an enormous impact on the lives of millions of Americans. This is an extraordinary opportunity to hear directly from a national leader about the leading issues of our time.”
This academic year, more than 8,700 San Jose State students will earn bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a wide range of fields, from business, engineering and nursing to humanities and the arts. Approximately 15,000 family members and friends are expected to attend.
About Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi is the Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives in the 114th Congress. From 2007 to 2011, she served as the first woman Speaker of the House. Leader Pelosi has led House Democrats for more than a decade and has represented San Francisco, California’s 12th District, for 27 years. As the Democratic Leader, Pelosi is fighting for bigger paychecks and better infrastructure for America’s middle class families. In 2013, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the American women’s rights movement.
Under Pelosi’s leadership, the 111th Congress was heralded as “one of the most productive Congresses in history” by congressional scholar Norman Ornstein.
Pelosi brings to her leadership position a distinguished record of legislative accomplishments. Pelosi spearheaded passage of historic health insurance reform legislation in the House that establishes a Patients’ Bill of Rights and will provide insurance for tens of millions more Americans while lowering health care costs over the long term. Other accomplishments include the passage of historic investments in college aid, clean energy and innovation, and initiatives to help small businesses and veterans. She has been a powerful voice for civil rights and human rights around the world for decades.
Pelosi comes from a strong family tradition of public service in Baltimore. Married to Paul Pelosi, she is a mother of five and grandmother of nine.
About San Jose State University
The founding campus of the 23-campus California State University system, San Jose State provides a comprehensive university education, granting bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 134 areas of study with 110 concentrations—offered through its eight colleges.
With more than 30,000 students and nearly 4,000 employees, San Jose State continues to be an essential partner in the economic, cultural and social development of Silicon Valley and the state, annually contributing more than 7,000 graduates to the workforce.
The university is immensely proud of the accomplishments of its more than 220,000 alumni, 60 percent of whom live and work in the Bay Area.