Ireland's President Mary McAleese reviews an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Wednesday, March, 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Petar Petrov)
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Large Map

Irish president to speak at Mt. Holyoke

Mary McAleese will deliver keynote address

Updated: Monday, 06 Apr 2009, 12:20 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 06 Apr 2009, 12:20 PM EDT

Irish President Mary McAleese will deliver the keynote address at Mount Holyoke College's commencement.

McAleese, a Belfast native first elected in 1997, will also receive an honorary degree from the women's college during the May 24 ceremony.

College President Joanne Creighton said in a statement Monday that McAleese's "leadership and a commitment to purposeful engagement" are what Mount Holyoke students strive for.

McAleese will speak at the college as part of a visit to Massachusetts organized with the support of U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, a Mount Holyoke trustee who has played a major role in U.S.-Ireland relations.

The 57-year-old McAleese is the country's first president from Northern Ireland and grew up at a time of violence and turmoil.

Copyright Associated Press, Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

  • Top Stories
  • Comments (Login Not Required)

 

  • Recommended Stories

Get news & weather on your desktop

New desktop widget for all the latest news and weather updates from WWLP.com

NBC Olympics 2010

Get to know Vancouver and the local athletes that will be competing in the Olympics Feb. 12, 2010.

Connections

Looking for information, or details about a product or service? Our online guides can help!