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Media Advisory: Gov. Jerry Brown to address 2013 political science graduates

By Kathleen Maclay

ATTENTION: Reporters covering higher education, government, politics, public service and leadership

WHAT: California Governor Jerry Brown will share his vision for the state’s future when he delivers his upcoming commencement address to graduating students earning degrees in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.

California Gov. Jerry Brown. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.

Taeku Lee, chair of UC Berkeley’s Charles and Louise Travers Political Science Department and a UC Berkley professor of both political science and law, said the choice of Brown as the commencement speaker is a natural one, given the department’s mission to instill critical thinking and practical training for California’s next generation of civic and political leaders. “I can think of no better celebration and valediction for this year’s graduating class than words from the doyen of California politics,” Lee said.

Brown, himself a UC Berkeley alumnus with a B.A. in classics (1961), will talk about the future of the Golden State. UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau, who is stepping down in early June, will introduce the governor.

In addition to Governor Brown’s remarks, the graduation ceremony will include several award announcements, followed by the conferral of degrees to 19 political science Ph.D. students and 341 undergraduates receiving bachelor’s degrees.

Marjon Momand , this year’s recipient of the Political Science Department Citation, the department’s top honor for its graduates, will also address the graduates.  Momand majored in political science and minored in Arabic. Sh e completed an honors thesis on religious freedom in the Muslim world and has been accepted into the year-long Presidential Internship Program at the American University of Cairo, Egypt.

WHEN: 9 a.m., Monday, May 20. Gates will open at 8 a.m.

WHERE: UC Berkeley’s Hearst Greek Theatre on Gayley Road. A map is available online .

DETAILS: The Charles and Louise Travers Political Science Department ( http://polisci.berkeley.edu/ ) covers the traditional subfields of American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory and also offers instruction in areas such as formal theory, methods, organizations and public policy, political behavior, and public law, as well as the politics of every major region in the world.

Credentialed media wishing to cover the governor’s remarks must R.S.V.P. with Kathleen Maclay in the UC Berkeley Media Relations Office ( kmaclay@berkeley.edu ). Parking information will be provided at that time. Media should enter the Greek Theatre through the South Gate.  Due to heightened security, please note that all bags and equipment will be checked as you enter the event. Broadcast crews should be in line at 7:30 a.m.

The event will be recorded and posted on the UC Berkeley NewsCenter following the event.