New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg To Deliver George Washington University's Commencement Address May 15, 2011

Bloomberg to Receive Honorary Degree of Doctor of Public Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Michael R. Bloomberg, mayor of the City of New York, will address graduates of the George Washington University at its Commencement on the National Mall Sunday, May 15, 2011. Mayor Bloomberg will speak to an estimated 25,000 graduates and guests and receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service.

"Michael Bloomberg has an extraordinary record of achievement as a public servant, philanthropist and business leader," said GW President Steven Knapp. "He is also an inspiring speaker, and we are honored that he has accepted our invitation to address the Class of 2011."

Mayor Bloomberg has achieved world prominence as a civic, business and philanthropic leader. He was elected in 2002 and has served as mayor of New York City for the last nine years. The mayor and his administration have cut crime more than 30 percent; turned around the nation's largest school district by injecting standards and accountability; and driven unemployment down. Education has figured prominently among the mayor's priorities for governing and philanthropy. His record of achievement as mayor includes winning control of the city's school system, increasing graduation rates by more than 25 percent and raising reading and math scores to record levels.

In 1981, Mayor Bloomberg founded Bloomberg, LP and created a financial information computer that would collect and analyze securities data and deliver it immediately to the user. In 1990, he launched a news service and radio, television, Internet and publishing operation. Today Bloomberg, LP employs more than 11,000 people and has 285,000 news service subscribers in 161 countries around the globe. Mayor Bloomberg earned his bachelor's of science degree from Johns Hopkins University and his M.B.A. from Harvard University.

Previous GW Commencement speakers include First Lady Michelle Obama; Rahm Emanuel, former chief of staff to President Barack Obama; former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In the heart of the nation's capital with additional programs in Virginia, the George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. The university offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 countries.

SOURCE George Washington University