Angela Merkel named Harvard Commencement speaker
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, one of the world’s most influential leaders since ascending to her country’s highest office in 2005, will be the principal speaker at the Afternoon Program of Harvard’s 368th Commencement on May 30. “Angela Merkel is one of the most widely admired and broadly influential statespeople of our time,” said Harvard President Larry Bacow. “Over her four terms as Germany’s chancellor, her leadership has done much to shape the course not only of her nation, but also of Europe and the larger world. She continues to play a central role in confronting some of the great challenges of our era, and I very much look forward to welcoming her to Harvard next May and to hearing what is sure to be a memorable address.” Born in Hamburg, West Germany, in 1954 to a Protestant pastor and a Latin and English teacher, Merkel (née Kasner) and her family moved to...