Defense secretary to speak at UGA graduation

Associated Press

ATHENS -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will speak at the University of Georgia's graduation ceremony next month.

The university announced Thursday that Gates would be the guest at its Dec. 18 ceremony at Stegeman Coliseum.

Gates was sworn in as defense secretary in 2006 under former President George W. Bush and continues to serve under President Barack Obama. He is the only defense secretary in U.S. history to be asked to stay in the job by a newly elected president.

Prior to joining the president's advisers, Gates was president of Texas A&M University starting in 2002.

“It is a tremendous honor for a speaker of such national prominence, and one who holds a position of significant national importance at this time in America’s history, to accept the invitation to speak at UGA’s graduation,” said UGA President Michael Adams. “I have known Bob Gates for many years and consider him both a close colleague and good friend. I very much look forward to his address in December.”