Diane Daly McGarry, the vice president and chief marketing officer at Xerox Corporation and member of the class of 1970, will be the Saint Mary's commencement speaker at Sunday's graduation ceremony. "I'm thrilled, honored and overwhelmed," McGarry said. "Some of the best experiences of my life were at Saint Mary's, and I'm so looking forward to coming and meeting everyone."McGarry will speak about her life story and her tale of becoming a successful businesswoman. She also plans to speak about her recent bout with breast cancer, which she has been in remission from for the past two years. Susan Dampeer, executive assistant to the president, said there were a number of reasons McGarry was chosen, including the diversity of her campus experience."She has a wonderful life story," Dampeer said. "When she was a student here, she was what we called a staff student worker. She worked everyday at the dining hall, in addition to having two part-time jobs, a gas station attendant and a member of a rock band. She now has an enormous career. She is a wonderful person, a fabulous speaker and the students are going to love her." Although McGarry attended Saint Mary's for only two years and did not graduate from Saint Mary's, she remains connected to the College. "McGarry is really good to Saint Mary's," said Dampeer. "I think she thinks of herself as getting her start here, and this is certainly the place she calls home."McGarry received a bachelor's degree in business administration and management from the University of Redlands in 1980 Dampeer said. Now as the vice president and chief executive officer, McGarry is in charge of worldwide marketing activities, advertising campaigns and sponsorship. She also oversees external communication, customers and employees. McGarry will receive an honorary degree at commencement."It's an overwhelming honor," McGarry said. "I will treasure it, and the fact that it's being given to me by Marilou Eldred makes is very special indeed."McGarry's mother, a member of the class of 1941, and other family members will be attending commencement to see the speaker receive her honorary degree.McGarry also wants to offer her best advice to the class of 2004."Don't ever be afraid of your future path," McGarry said. "Many people have plowed the way ahead, and you're going to do the same thing for those that will come behind you. Everyone in the graduating class can make a difference in whatever they choose to do."
