By Ricky Thompson

President Richard Freeland’s office has announced that Leon Panetta will be the commencement speaker for the spring 2005 morning graduation ceremony.

Although the President’s Office has revealed Panetta’s role, many students said they still do not know who he is.

“I haven’t heard much about him,” said senior business major John Lee.

In fact, when asked to speculate, Lee said he thought Panetta was an athlete.

Prior to his White House appointment, Panetta had served eight full terms as a United States representative of California, dating from 1977 until 1993. His role in the White House under the administration of former President Bill Clinton, where he served from 1994 until 1997, is regarded as the most significant of Panetta’s many posts.

The results of a Northeastern News non-scientific survey found only two out of 50 seniors knew or had heard of Panetta before. Although so few knew this year’s commencement speaker, those in the administration believe Panetta embodies the values of the university.

“His background makes him a very distinguished person who I think can be a good inspiration to our students,” said Kay Onan, special assistant to the president.

The President’s Office is responsible for arranging the speaker at each commencement, according to Commencement