May 17, 2008

Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack will deliver the Commencement address during Simpson College’s graduation ceremony May 17.

Vilsack will also receive an honorary doctorate from the college during the ceremony.

“It is an honor to have Governor Tom Vilsack address the newest alumni of Simpson College and their families and friends,” said John Byrd, president of Simpson College. “Throughout his 20-year career as an elected public official, Governor Vilsack has worked to improve the quality of life for Iowans. As an institution dedicated to creating socially responsible citizens and leaders, we are proud to have the former governor speak to our students as they embark on the next phase of their lives.”

Vilsack was invited to be the Commencement speaker based on the recommendations of the student and faculty advisory committee to Byrd.

“We knew that Governor Tom Vilsack was a great speaker and had done great things for Iowa,” said Senior Class President Emily Salberg, a member of the committee. “We have a tradition of inviting former governors to speak at graduation. We thought Governor Vilsack would be a good role model for students and would encourage them to go out and serve the world.”

Vilsack has a distinguished record of dedicated public service, serving as mayor of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, an Iowa state senator, and Iowa’s governor from 1998 to 2006. As governor, he focused on improving education, expanding healthcare coverage to the uninsured and creating an efficient and accountable state government.

Vilsack is also a highly regarded litigator with more than 25 years of trial experience. He is of counsel in the Dorsey Trial group where his practice focuses on strategic counseling and advising clients in the fields of energy conservation, renewable energy and agribusiness development.

Commencement will be held May 17 at 10 a.m. in Cowles Gymnasium.