U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie to speak at Winter Commencement Jan. 10

5:01 p.m., Nov. 21, 2003--Christopher J. Christie, a University of Delaware alumnus and United States attorney, District of New Jersey, will speak at the University’s Winter Commencement, scheduled at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, in the Bob Carpenter Center.

Winter Commencement, which traditionally features a distinguished UD graduate as speaker, recognizes students who complete their degree requirements in August and December.

Also at the ceremony, an honorary degree will be conferred upon Byong Man Ahn, president of the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, South Korea.

All guests must have tickets to attend, which may be picked up from the Student Services Building from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, Dec. 8-12.

Nominated by President George W. Bush as U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, Christie is serving a four-year term as the chief federal law enforcement officer in New Jersey, where he is responsible for a 134-lawyer operation with offices throughout the state. He is the lead investigator in a recent case involving a known arms dealer trying to smuggle a shoulder-fired missile capable of shooting down a commercial jetliner into the United States. Christie also serves on Attorney General John Ashcroft’s advisory subcommittees on terrorism.

Christie began his legal career in 1987, joining the law firm of Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci in Cranford, N.J, where he established the firm’s litigation department.

In 1994, Christie was elected to the Morris County, N.J., Board of Chosen Freeholders and was later elected director of the board, overseeing the operation of the county government.

Christie also has served as an officer of the Christie Family Foundation, a private family foundation that supports charitable causes. In addition, he has served on the board of the United Way of Morris County, Family Services of Morris County, Morris County Board of Social Services and as chairman of the Morris County Insurance Commission.

A 1984 graduate of UD, with a major in political science, Christie earned his law degree from Seton Hall University. In October, Christie received the Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement from the University of Delaware.

Christie and his wife, Mary Pat, a 1985 UD graduate, live in Mendham, N.J., with their four children.

Information regarding Winter Commencement has been mailed recently to degree candidates and their families.

For additional information about Winter Commencement activities, visit [www.udel.edu/wcommencement] or call the Office of Alumni and University Relations at (302) 831-8741.

Article by Jerry Rhodes

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