Jack Markell, who completed his second term as the 73rd governor of Delaware earlier this year, will speak at the University of Delaware’s 168th Commencement exercises, scheduled at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 27, in Delaware Stadium.

Commencement, which is free and open to the public, is held rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony may be shortened.

“I am pleased to announce the selection of Jack Markell as this year’s Commencement speaker,” said Jeff Garland, vice president and University secretary. “After a distinguished business career, playing a key role in the wireless communications industry in the 1990s, Jack turned to a life in public service, earning support and respect as state treasurer and then governor. His record of dedication and leadership makes him an ideal person to share his perspective and insights with our graduates and their families.”

After a career in the private sector, including a top leadership position at Nextel, Markell served three consecutive terms as state treasurer. His tenure in that position was marked by innovative programs aimed at cutting spending and improving individual fiscal responsibility.

Markell was elected governor of Delaware in November 2008 and re-elected in 2012. As governor, his focus was on growing the economy, creating jobs, strengthening schools, improvements to the environment and protecting taxpayers.

In an interview with the Wilmington News Journal in January, Markell called his eight years as governor “some of the most rewarding years of my life.”

The son of a distinguished UD professor, the late William Markell, he grew up in Newark and graduated from Newark High School. He holds an undergraduate degree in economics and development studies from Brown University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Markell is a 2004 Henry Crown Fellow, a 2006 Rodel Fellow and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network at the Aspen Institute.

He has served as chairperson of both the Democratic Governors Association (from 2010-2011) and the National Governors Association (from 2012-13).

For more information on the May 27 event, visit the special Commencement website.

Official hashtags for Commencement are #UDGrad2017 and #BlueHensForever.