Former 9/11 Commissioner to Speak Sept. 20 at UC San Diego’s Student Convocation

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Tim Roemer, UC San Diego Class of 1979, Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of India, Commissioner of the 9/11 Commission and former Congressman (D-IN).

Timothy Roemer, a University of California, San Diego alumnus, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a 9/11 Commissioner, will be the keynote speaker at the Sept. 20 New Student Convocation on campus. The former six-term Democratic congressman from Indiana, who most recently served as the U.S. Ambassador to India, will welcome, along with Chancellor Marye Ann Fox and faculty,  an estimated 6,100 new freshmen and transfer students entering UC San Diego for fall quarter 2011. Convocation is the inaugural academic event of the year that marks the formal entrance of new students into the university community.

Roemer, along with nine other high-profile Americans on “The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States” (also known as the 9-11 Commission), interviewed 1,200 witnesses and examined 2.5 million documents. The commission worked to understand why the 9/11 attacks had not been prevented and how to stop such attacks in the future.          

“Tim Roemer is a remarkable alumnus whose contributions to our country embody UC San Diego’s tradition of service,” said Armin Afsahi, executive director of UC San Diego Alumni. “We are thrilled to welcome Tim back to his alma mater and are excited to bear witness as he greets new students and invites them to embark on their own educational and social journey.”          

Roemer, who earned a bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego in 1979, attended Notre Dame where he received a Ph.D. in American Government. He has dedicated much of his professional career to improving education and strengthening national security.

“It’s a high honor and distinct privilege to return to UC San Diego and talk with the students,” said Roemer. “I benefitted greatly from my undergraduate experience with the diverse student body, the talented faculty and the first-class academic rigor. My message to them is simple and clear: While we are experiencing challenging economic times, they have the unique opportunity to grow and learn here and contribute to America’s historic place in the world to make change and achieve their dreams.”          
Convocation

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Roemer’s support of higher education was evident through his sponsorship of the Ed-Flex bill, which encourages states to seek innovative approaches to education, and the Transition to Teaching bill, which helped address teacher shortages. In addition, he was the lead sponsor of the five-year reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, which reduced interest rates on student loans, increased Pell Grants, increased funding for teacher training and expanded aid to families.

“Washington Monthly’s latest ranking has recognized UC San Diego as the top university in the nation for its contributions to society,” added Roemer. “This is a vital testament to this university’s powerful and positive impact on the United States and the global community. The values of hard work, giving back to others and community service are all reinforced and emphasized as a core of the university’s academic mission.”           

Convocation will kick off the university’s 2011-2012 academic year and introduce the new “Learn It. Live It.” theme the campus will use in events, communications and other efforts to showcase how UC San Diego shapes minds, changes lives, launches industries and builds the future. In November, the campus and community will have a chance to celebrate the theme and new traditions at the 2nd annual Founders’ Celebration events, including:

• Thursday, Nov. 17, Founders’ Symposium—A dynamic evening featuring a lively discussion of life-changing research happening every day at UC San Diego.
• Friday, Nov. 18, Founders’ Day—An annual celebration commemorating the day the campus was officially founded in 1960.
• Saturday, Nov. 19, Founders’ Dinner—A festive benefit dinner showcasing UC San Diego talent and honoring the 2011 recipients of the Chancellor’s Medal: Richard and Rita Atkinson; the late John Davies and his wife, Ann; Sheldon ’72, and Susan Engelhorn; Anne Ratner; and L.S. and Aline Skaggs. Proceeds from the event benefit the Invent the Future student support campaign.

For more information, go to http://learnlive.ucsd.edu/founders.