MSNBC journalist Chris Matthews to present Peirce College's 150th anniversary commencement speech

PHILADELPHIA, May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned political journalist Chris Matthews will return to his native Philadelphia on June 11 to deliver the keynote speech at Peirce College's 150^th anniversary commencement ceremony.

The host of "Hardball" on MSNBC, Matthews has worked in or covered politics for his entire professional life. Matthews' political career began as an employee in the U.S. Senate. He later became a presidential speechwriter and then the top aide to former Speaker of the House Thomas P. O'Neill. In the late 1980s, he transitioned to a career in journalism and has been on television every weekday night since he launched "Hardball" in 1997.

"As a mid-life career changer, Chris Matthews' story of professional evolution is one that will resonate very clearly with Peirce's 2015 graduates," said Peirce College President & CEO James J. Mergiotti. "Most of our students are receiving their degrees after being in the professional world for many years, so Matthews' words of advice are particularly relevant."   

Matthews agrees. "The students of Peirce College epitomize the hard work it takes to achieve the American dream," Matthews said. "Most of these students are adults who have gone back to school to improve their lives and the lives of their families. The graduates I will be addressing have sacrificed much to earn their degrees and I am honored to be there as they turn this page in their lives. I hope to provide them with some words of inspiration as they begin to reap the benefits of their education."

Approximately 322 students, most of whom are working adults, are expected to graduate from Peirce in 2015, its 150^th anniversary year.

"This year's class will be able to say they graduated from Peirce at one of the most exciting points in its history," Mergiotti said. "As we look to the next 150 years of Peirce College, we are poised to change the face of higher education with our revolutionary approach to class delivery methods and have reaffirmed our commitment to the Philadelphia region, its working adult learners, and the business community."

The College's commencement ceremony will be held at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts at Broad and Spruce streets on Thursday, June 11, at 6:45 p.m.

About Peirce College

In 2015, Peirce College celebrates 150 years dedicated to providing higher education to working adults. In celebration of this momentous occasion, Peirce is hosting a year-long series of events surrounding the theme, "Many Years, One Purpose." Peirce College offers bachelors and associate degree programs in the areas of Business, Healthcare, Information Technology, and Legal Studies, and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership & Management. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Peirce is a non-profit institution that specializes in serving the unique needs of working adults, many of whom work full time and are raising families. Peirce College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000). Additionally select programs are accredited by The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, the American Bar Association and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.

For more information about Peirce College, call 888.467.3472, or visit www.Peirce.edu. Visit Peirce's blog, Peirce Connections, at http://blog.Peirce.edu. Become a fan of Peirce College on Facebook. Follow @PeirceCollege on Twitter. View the Peirce College YouTube Channel.

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SOURCE Peirce College

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