Ben Bernanke Named Princeton University’s Baccalaureate Speaker

Bernanke
Bernanke

Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve and former chair of the economics department at Princeton University, has been selected as the speaker for Princeton University’s 2013 Baccalaureate ceremony.

The Baccalaureate ceremony, an interfaith service for seniors, is held the Sunday before graduation. It is one of the University’s oldest traditions. The service will be held at 2 p.m. on June 2 in the Princeton University Chapel.

The president of Princeton University selects the Baccalaureate speaker each year after consultation with senior class leaders. Officers of the Class of 2013 recommended Bernanke based on his strong ties to Princeton and his expertise and insights into economic changes that have had a profound global impact in recent years.

“We are honored and excited to welcome Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke back to campus as our Baccalaureate speaker. Through his career in public service and academia, Chairman Bernanke personifies Princeton’s motto: ‘In the nation’s service and in the service of all nations,'” said Zach Beecher, president of the senior class in a release about the selection. “We look forward to hearing the thoughts, advice and wisdom of Chairman Bernanke as we begin our journey through Fitz-Randolph Gate and beyond.”

Bernanke is serving his second term as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, helping shape and guide economic and monetary policy. Prior to his appointment, Bernanke was the chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers.

Named Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2009 for his role in preventing a complete economic collapse, Bernanke is the author of numerous articles and books spanning multiple economic topics. He served as a member of the Princeton faculty from 1985 until 2005, and has also taught at Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and New York University.