This post was written by Hatchet Staff Writer Priya Anand.

The leader of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will address graduates of the GW Law School during Commencement Weekend in May.

The Law School announced Wednesday afternoon that Mary Schapiro, a law school alumna the first woman to head the SEC, will join three alumni and a Welling professor the University’s graduation ceremonies.

Prior to her appointment by President Barack Obama, Schapiro served in the Commission under former Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

“I am delighted that Ms. Schapiro will join GW’s Law School Diploma Ceremony,” law school Dean  Frederick Lawrence said in a news release.  “Her passion for public service and willingness to take on the challenges of these economic times will undoubtedly inspire our graduating class.”

The University’s Commencement ceremonies will begin on Wednesday, May 12 and conclude with the University’s Commencement on May 16 on the National Mall. The Law School’s graduation also occurs May 16.

First Lady Michelle Obama is expected to be the keynote speaker at the University-wide Commencement ceremony on May 16, provided that the GW community meets her 100,000-service-hour challenge by May 1. As of Wednesday students, faculty and staff only need to complete 26,000 more hours.

Other confirmed speakers for Commencement include:

Elliott School of International Affairs:  Rose Gottemoeller, assistant secretary of State for Verification, Compliance, and Implementation

School of Business, graduate ceremony: Marcia Bullard, retiring president and chief executive of USA Weekend magazine

School of Business, undergraduate: Ric Duques, alumnus, former chairman of First Data Corporation, benefactor of Ric and Dawn Duques Hall

School of Engineering and Applied Science: Dr. H. Vincent Poor, Welling professor at GW, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton University