The convocation speaker for the School of Law’s Class of 2005 is Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.
Born in New York City and raised in Albuquerque, she is a Sandia High School graduate. Napolitano attended Santa Clara University and is one of New Mexico's first Truman scholars. After graduating from the University of Virginia Law School, she moved to Phoenix, Ariz., to work as a private attorney.
U.S. President Bill Clinton nominated Napolitano to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona in 1993. In 1998, she was elected state attorney general, the first woman to hold the position. Napolitano distinguished herself as a tireless advocate for children and women, senior citizens and the environment.
Napolitano was elected Arizona's 21st Governor in 2002, and quickly earned the reputation of “education governor.” She led the fight to secure funding for voluntary full-day kindergarten, and launched an initiative that delivers a free book to every first grade student in Arizona at no cost to taxpayers.