Stanford Picks Mexico President Calderon Commencement Speaker

Mexican President Felipe Calderon, who has waged a four-year war against violent drug cartels, has been selected to be the 2011 commencement speaker at Stanford University on June 12, the university announced Tuesday.

“His views on a life devoted to solving pressing problems and to improving society will be particularly meaningful to our graduates, as will his experience leading a nation so vitally intertwined with the future of California and the United States,” Stanford University President John Hennessy said in a statement.

Stanford’s senior class presidents, Dante DiCicco, Pamon Forouhar, Mona Hadidi and Molly Spaeth, said they nominated Calderon as the commencement speaker “to send a powerful message” to the country and the rest of the world about the importance of leadership in international cooperation and social justice.

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“President Calderon assumed office at one of the most challenging times in the history of his nation, and is a respected foreign leader who has been involved in public service and advocacy for his entire life,” Hennessy said.