Kostas Karamanlis, Tufts alum and Prime Minister of Greece, will be the keynote speaker at this year's 149th Commencement exercises to be held on Sunday, May 22.
The 48 year old Karamanlis is the youngest prime minister to be elected in modern Greek history, as he led his New Democracy party to victory in Mar. 2004.
In a press release issued yesterday, University President Lawrence Bacow said Karamanlis is "one of Europe's most dynamic leaders, and a rising star on the global political stage."
"His international perspective, commitment to public service and leadership are all qualities our students, faculty and staff hold with the highest regard," Bacow said.
According to the same press release, Karamanlis said his election is "the start of a new era," and the establishment of Greece as the Mediterranean's primary economic hub is one of his top priorities. During his time in office, Karamanlis has also initiated broad education and health reforms.
After five months of being in office, Karamanlis presided over the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, which had returned to Greece for the first time in over 100 years.
Joining Karamanlis at the Commencement exercises will be four honorary degree recipients.
Tufts alum and Oscar-winning actor William Hurt will be awarded an honorary doctorate in the Fine Arts, and Tufts alum and National Medal of Science winner Ann M. Graybiel will receive an honorary doctorate in Science.
To receive honorary doctorates in Humane Letters will be Mayor of Hiroshima and former Tufts mathematics professor Tadatoshi Akiba, as well as former Dartmouth College President James O. Freedman.
Karamanlis will also receive an honorary doctorate of laws.
At the Saturday, May 21 Commencement exercises for the Fletcher School, Tufts alum and Prime Minister of Libya Shokri Ghanem will speak.
Last year's Commencement speaker was former Time Magazine Managing Editor and former CEO of CNN Walter Isaacson.
