CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M University System Chancellor Michael D. McKinney and honors student Elizabeth Benson-Landau will address more than 800 graduates, their families and guests at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s 2008 spring commencement Saturday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the American Bank Center arena, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.

Dr. McKinney, a family physician, was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1984 and served as speaker pro-tempore from 1989-1990. He was Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner during former Gov. George W. Bush’s first term and chief of staff to Gov. Rick Perry during 2001-2002. After several years with the University of Texas System, McKinney was named chancellor of the A&M System in 2006.

McKinney has received the Presidential Award of Merit for Exemplary Service from the Texas Academy of Family Practice. While in public office, he was recognized as one of the 10 best legislators by both Texas Monthly magazine and The Dallas Morning News.

Benson-Landau, who will speak on “Manifesting Your Dreams,” will graduate magna cum laude in sociology. She was selected to address her fellow graduates based on academic performance and involvement in campus and community organizations.

“I have been blessed in two ways by majoring in sociology and working full-time at the University,” Benson-Landau said. “These experiences have given me the chance to expand my awareness of society and understand who I am. That is something I will keep for the rest of my life.”

Benson-Landau is vice president of the Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honors Society and an officer of the Honors Student Association. She is a program assistant for the College of Education and has worked for the Office of Admissions and Records. Her community service includes volunteering her time for the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball, and participating in beach clean-ups along North Beach and Mustang Island.

Around 820 students from the Colleges of Business, Education, Liberal Arts, Nursing and Health Sciences and Science and Technology have applied for spring graduation. The University conducts commencement ceremonies each year in December, May and August.

The ceremony will be broadcast live beginning at 10:30 a.m. on KTOV channel 21 and by Time-Warner, Grande and Charter Communications on cable channel 15.