Howard Dean, former Vermont governor and recent chair of the Democratic National Committee, will deliver the commencement address at the University of Vermont's 205th commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 17, 2009. The university will present Dean with an honorary degree at the event.

Dr. Howard Dean served the State of Vermont as a six-term governor, 1991-2003, and served the Democratic National Committee as chair for the past four years. Dean took the national stage as a candidate during the 2004 presidential primaries, drawing wide voter interest early in the campaign with his strong stand against war in Iraq. Though his run for the nomination was not successful, the Dean campaign's use of the Internet to build support revolutionized the use of technology in presidential campaigns. As chair of the DNC, Dean spearheaded the "50 State Strategy," which sought to build Democratic in-roads in traditionally Republican states. The initiative is widely credited with contributing to Democrats' gains in the Senate and House elections of 2006 and President Barack Obama's election as president in 2008. During his years as governor, Dean, a physician, led the effort to provide Vermont children and pregnant women with universal healthcare, creating a program that is among the legacies of his leadership in the state.

Read more about the university's 2009 commencement celebration.