Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Geoană will address over 150 Hokies and their family and friends attending the Virginia Tech commencement ceremony in the greater Washington, D.C., metro area on Sunday, May 14.

Geoană became NATO deputy secretary general in October 2019, after a distinguished domestic and international career. Geoană is the first deputy secretary general from Romania and the first from any of the countries that joined the alliance after the end of the Cold War.

Geoană has served as a diplomat and a politician and in 2009 was his party’s candidate to be president of Romania. He is a strong advocate of transatlantic integration and has held a number of international positions, including Romanian ambassador to the United States from 1996-2000. He is president and founder of the Aspen Institute Romania and has published extensively on domestic and international affairs.

“I look forward to concluding my latest visit to the United States by congratulating the leaders of tomorrow at Virginia Tech. In a more dangerous world, the leadership of the United States remains critical to NATO and our shared security in Europe and North America,” Geoană said.

In 2000, he was made a commander of the National Order, The Star of Romania. He also has been awarded the French Legion d’Honneur and the Italian Stella della Solidarieta.

Among the graduates this year will be approximately 85 students in the D.C. area earning degrees in computer science and computer engineering, the programs affiliate with the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus.

In addition to Geoană’s remarks, student speakers Nareg Seferian, who will receive a Ph.D. in planning, governance, and globalization, and Mariah Damon, who will receive a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in hospitality and tourism management, will address attendees.

The D.C. area ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax and will be livestreamed and available to watch on-demand. More information and details on the D.C. area commencement ceremony can be found at nvc.vt.edu/commencement.

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