David Wilhelm, president of Wilhelm and Conlon Public Strategies and an Ohio University graduate, will deliver the university's keynote address at the June 8 undergraduate commencement ceremonies at the Convocation Center.

"We are delighted to have David return to his alma mater to deliver the undergraduate commencement address," said Ohio University President Robert Glidden. "David is committed to public service and he is also committed to helping his home region of southeast Ohio. Both are great examples for our graduates and I know that he will be very engaging to our graduates and their families and friends."

His Chicago-based public affairs and economic development firm, which works on behalf of public policies and business initiatives that spur economic growth and justice, is responsible for establishing the Appalachian Ohio Development Fund. The fund is administered through the Appalachian Regional Entrepreneurship Initiative at Ohio University's Voinovich Center for Leadership and Public Affairs.

Wilhelm, raised in Athens, Ohio, and son of Professor Emeritus of Geography Hubert Wilhelm, is best known for his accomplishments in the political world. After former President Bill Clinton's successful run for the presidency in 1992, Wilhelm became the youngest person in U.S. history to lead a major political party when Clinton named him chair of the Democratic National Committee. Previously, he had managed victorious campaigns in 1989 and 1991 for Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and served as campaign director for Paul Simon's successful bid for the U.S. Senate in 1984.

He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Ohio University and a master's degree in public policy from John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is a senior policy fellow at Ohio University's Voinovich Center.

Wilhelm and his wife, Degee, reside in Chicago, with their two sons, Luke and Logan.