Samuel J. Palmisano, chairman of the board of IBM, will speak at graduation, According to Hopkins's Commencement website.
A Hopkins graduate himself, Palmisano has worked at IBM for nearly 40 years, and served as president and CEO until January.
"He is a highly accomplished graduate of Johns Hopkins and a leader in his industry," University Spokesperson Dennis O'Shea said.
"He made IBM from the company that it was into the company that it is today . . . Whatever he chooses to speak about will be highly valuable to the class."
After graduating from Hopkins, Palmisano joined IBM as a salesman in 1973. He moved through the ranks at the company working on company strategy and later international business and developing industry. As CEO he brought financial stability and growth to IBM and worked to expand many of its now-crucial market initiatives.
In an article last December, The New York Times reported Palmisano to have been guided by four questions during his time leading IBM.
"Why would someone spend their money with you — so what is unique about you?"
"Why would somebody work for you?"
"Why would society allow you to operate in their defined geography — their country?"
"And why would somebody invest their money with you?"
These principles helped Palmisano through a decade as CEO.
Palmisano is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and in 2005 he was awarded an Honorary Degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
He will speak at University-wide Commencement on May 24 on Homewood Field where degrees will be conferred upon the undergraduate and higher degree classes of 2012 by President Ron Daniels, Provost Lloyd Minor and others. Some speakers for divisional ceremonies are still yet to be announced.
