Susan Peters, vice president of Executive Development and Chief Learning Officer of General Electric (GE), and 1975 graduate will be the commencement speaker at Saint Mary's graduation Saturday.
Along with delivering the commencement address, Peters will receive an honorary doctor of humanity degree.
Peters, who graduated with a degree in English Literature, has been active in the Saint Mary's community since she graduated, currently serving on the President's Advisory Council.
She also spoke at the College in 2005 as a Shannon Executive Scholar Lecture speaker. The Shannon lecture takes place annually with an outstanding alumna speaking to students.
Since Peters is an alumna, many seniors, like Monica Mastracco, are excited to hear what advice she will give them in her speech since she knows what it is like to have attended the College.
"I've gone to the Commencement ceremony the last two years, and the speakers have been great and have had insightful things to say but it will be nice to see in a physical manifestation the actual quality of graduates that this College is putting out into the world," Mastracco said.
Peters said her ties to Saint Mary's will allow her to provide something special in her address.
"It is a true honor to be named as the commencement speaker for the class of 2008," she said. "It is particularly meaningful to come back to Saint Mary's and share some thoughts with the graduates, knowing that I was in their shoes 33 years ago."
Peters was recently nominated to serve on the national Board of Directors of Girl Scouts U.S.A. and will begin her term in late 2008.
She joined GE in 1979 through the Human Resources Management Program and was appointed a company officer in 1997.
In 2007 she assumed responsibility for all leadership training and for GE's Management Development Institute.
"Susan Peters is an extremely accomplished alumna. I look forward to recognizing both her exceptional career at GE and her commitment to Saint Mary's," College president Carol Ann Mooney. "She is an engaging speaker and I know that she will connect with our graduates and their families."
