White House Chief of Staff To Be U of I’s Commencement Speaker

New White House Chief of Staff William M. Daley is the speaker for the University of Illinois' 140th commencement ceremonies next month.

The longtime executive with JP Morgan Chase & Co. also served as president of SBC Communications from 2001 to 2004.

He was a campaign manager for Al Gore's presidential run in 2000, and was Secretary of Commerce from 1997 to 2000, overseeing a department of more than 40,000 people. He was Special Counsel to President Clinton in 1993, focusing on international trade issues. Daley served as a lawyer early in his career, and has served on the boards of several corporate, academic, medical, charitable, and civic organizations.

The Chicago native is brother to the city's outgoing mayor, Richard M. Daley. He is married to Bernadette Keller. William Daley will deliver his commencement speech at the 10:30 and 2 p.m. ceremonies at Assembly Hall on May 15th.

(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)