New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a graduate of Seton Hall Law in 1987, will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2011 Commencement Exercises on May 16 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford.
The announcement came via email on Friday afternoon from the Office of the Provost.
The ceremony will also award an honorary degree to Fr. Robert O'Toole, a former Rector and professor at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.
Last year, Christie spoke at the Commencement Exercises for Monmouth University at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. Upon the announcement, Facebook groups were created in protest; NJ.com reported nearly 1,400 members in two different online groups.
Most of the opposition focused on Christie's cuts to state funding on education.
Christie has also delivered Commencement addresses at Seton Hall Law, Rutgers and the University of Delaware, his alma mater, according to NJ.com.
The last three speakers at Seton Hall's Commencement Exercises include former University President Msgr. Robert Sheeran, former basketball coach P.J. Carlesimo and college basketball broadcaster Bill Raftery, and author Immaculee Ilibigiza.
The Setonian contacted President's Hall seeking comment from University President Dr. Gabriel Esteban, but he is out of town.
Brian Wisowaty can be reached at brian.wisowaty@student.shu.edu.
