Commencement Speakers

Valerie Jarrett with President Obama

Valerie B. Jarrett will deliver the 2013 Commencement address at Wellesley College.

Valerie B. Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama and chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, will address the Class of 2013 and an international audience of their family and friends at Wellesley College’s 135th Commencement Exercises Friday, May 31, at 10:30 a.m.

Prior to joining the Obama administration, Jarrett was chief executive officer of The Habitat Company. She also served as co-chair of the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team, and senior advisor to Obama's presidential campaign.

Jarrett has held positions in both the public and private sector, including the chairman of the Chicago Transit Board, the commissioner of Planning and Development for the City of Chicago, and deputy chief of staff for Mayor Richard M. Daley. She also practiced law with two private law firms.

Read more about Jarrett in our news release or on the White House website.

pinanski prizes

2013 Pinanski Prize for Excellence in Teaching

Read the full citations.

 

speeches

Nuha Khan

Nuha Khan '13 delivered this year's senior speech.

valerie jarrett

Valerie B. Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama, delivered the 2013 Commencement Address.

Kim Bottomly at podium

Wellesley President H. Kim Bottomly gave her charge to the Class of 2013.