Governor of Puerto Rico to Speak at Boston University Commencement

For Release Upon Receipt -- May 8, 2001

Contact: Kevin Carleton 617-353-3669 [email protected]

SILA CALDERON, GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO, TO SPEAK AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT

(Boston, Mass.) -- The Hon. Sila Calder--n, the first woman governor of Puerto Rico, will deliver the address at Boston University's 128th commencement exercises Sunday, May 20, at 11 a.m. President Jon Westling announced the speaker during the annual senior brunch, held on campus last week.

Westling also announced that the annual baccalaureate sermon will be delivered by the Rev. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, president of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Mass., during a 9 a.m. service at Marsh Chapel on the day of commencement.

Gov. Calder--n and Rev. Triantafilou will receive honorary degress. Also being honored are Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Boston businessman Leonard Florence, and Kathryn Silber, who, in Westling's words, "was the much beloved first lady of Boston University who has contributed immeasurably to the civility and pleasant nature of Boston University events over three decades."

Calder--n has been a vice-president of Citibank and served as mayor of San Juan for eight years before her election as governor in November 2000.

"By becoming Puerto Rico's first female governor, Sila Calder--n has provided an example to millions of women in the Americas," said Westling in making the announcement. "In promising to retain Puerto Rico's historic ties to the United States while insisting on respect for the island's culture and self-governance, she has begun to set one of the most important relationships in the Americas on a firm foundation."

Gov. Calderon's Popular Democratic Party stands on a platform of democracy and social responsibility, advocating legislation to stem corruption and retain commonwealth status for the island. She has spoken out against the use of the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico as a target range for the U.S. military.

The entire commencement ceremony will be webcast, enabling family members of graduates, alumni, and others from around the world to view the ceremony as it happens. The ceremony can be seen at the commencement website: http://www.bu.edu/commencement.

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