Sec. of Labor Chao to speak at Saint Mary's
Observer staff report
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao will deliver the commencement address at Saint Mary's on Saturday.
Chao, a native of Tai-wan, is the first Asian-Amer-ican woman ap-pointed to a president's cabinet in United States history. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in January 2001.
According to Susan Dampeer, assistant to Saint Mary's President Marilou Eldred, Chao was an appropriate choice for Saint Mary's because she received her undergraduate degree in economics from Mount Holyoke College, an all-women's college. Dampeer will host Chao on campus and hopes that the selection for the speaker will be welcomed by students.
Dampeer said she will suggest to the Commencement planning committee that a Saint Mary's student accompany Chao for the day to represent the College.
Chao will also deliver the Commencement address at Depauw University in Greencastle, Ind., following her visit to Saint Mary's.
As the head of the Department of Labor, Chao manages issues such as wages and work hours, workplace safety and pension and health benefits.
Before coming to the Department of Labor, Chao was a distinguished fellow at The Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based public policy think tank.
Previously she served as president and chief executive officer of United Way of America (UWA), where she restored public trust and confidence in the nation's largest charitable-giving institution after it was tarnished by mismanagement.
Prior to joining UWA, Chao was director of the Peace Corps, the world's largest international volunteer organization.
She also served as deputy secretary of transportation under former President George Bush.
All News Stories for Friday, May 17, 2002
