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Economist Jeffrey Sachs to speak at 2010 Commencement

Economist Jeffrey Sachs
Economist Jeffrey Sachs

Economist Jeffrey Sachs has been selected to give the keynote address at Connecticut College´s 92nd Commencement on May 23, 2010. In announcing the selection, Connecticut College President Leo I. Higdon Jr. said, "Our students benefit from a rigorous and comprehensive liberal arts education that reflects the most urgent and important issues of our time. Jeffrey Sachs is one of the world´s foremost economists, and I look forward to hearing his insights at what is a particularly meaningful time in our global economy, and in the lives of our graduating seniors." Sachs is director of The Earth Institute, Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development and professor of health policy and management at Columbia University. He is also special advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Sachs was nominated to be the commencement speaker by a campus committee that includes students, faculty and staff. They agreed that in Sachs, the college community will have a tremendous speaker whose work exemplifies many of the principles shared by our students, including service to community, development and stewardship of the next generation of leaders and awareness of every person´s responsibilities as a citizen. "Our class and the college community should feel incredibly honored to have one of the greatest economists in the world come and speak during times of economic uncertainty," Alexandra Felfle ´10, president of the Class of 2010, wrote in an email to classmates. Sachs has been named among the world´s 100 most influential leaders by Time magazine. He is highly regarded for his work at the forefront of the challenges of economic development, poverty alleviation and enlightened globalization, promoting policies to help all parts of the world benefit from expanding economic opportunities and well-being. He is also one of the leading voices for combining economic development with environmental sustainability. He has authored numerous books, including New York Times bestsellers, "The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time" and "Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet."



March 17, 2010