New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be the 2013 Commencement speaker at Stanford

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be the 2013 Commencement speaker at Stanford University.

Stanford’s 122nd Commencement Weekend, which is scheduled for June 14-16, also will feature a Class Day lecture by Mehran Sahami, associate professor of computer science, and a Baccalaureate address by alumna Valarie Kaur, post-9/11 civil rights advocate and interfaith organizer.

As mayor of New York City since 2002, Bloomberg has introduced hundreds of innovative new policies and initiatives credited with revitalizing the economy and improving health, safety, education and the environment for the city’s residents. The mayor’s economic policies have made the city a hub for high-tech innovation and have added private-sector jobs. The information technology company he founded, Bloomberg LP, is now a global multimedia enterprise with 15,000 employees. And he has directed his personal attention to numerous global charitable causes, particularly in the areas of public health and education.

“Stanford is known for its entrepreneurial spirit: We encourage our students to think big, to consider how they can make a difference in the world. So it is fitting that Michael Bloomberg will be this year’s Commencement speaker,” said Stanford President John Hennessy. “Businessman, entrepreneur, mayor, philanthropist – few people have demonstrated his vision and the breadth of his accomplishments. He built a company that is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in the financial news and information industry. As mayor, he has worked to diversify the city’s economy, strengthen its schools, increase access to health care and reduce crime. And increasingly, he has dedicated himself to improving society through his philanthropic efforts. I expect our graduates will be inspired by a leader willing to tackle difficult issues and find innovative ways to address them.”

Read the entire press release from the university here.