Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy is pleased to announce that Christopher Ward, executive director of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, will deliver the commencement speech at the school’s ceremony on Thursday May 21. At the helm of an organization responsible for the bistate region's trade and transportation capabilities, Ward’s remarks will enable the class of 2009 to envision their professional dreams becoming a reality.

Ward has spent much of his professional career in service to the City of New York. He worked as senior vice president for Transportation and Commerce at the Economic Development Corporation, assistant commissioner at the Department of Telecommunications and Energy, and director of research at the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Ward holds a bachelor of arts degree from Macalester College and a master’s of Theological Studies from Harvard University’s Divinity School. He has also served as an adjunct professor at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.

Ward will be introduced by graduating Milano student Kevin Georges. Georges has been named a fellow at The Port Authority’s two-year, post-master’s rotational management development program.

The Milano commencement ceremony will be taking place in the Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th Street from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.