Chrysler CEO Marchionne to be UT commencement speaker in May

Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne talks to journalists at the end of the March 20 shareholders meeting of Fiat Group at the Lingotto Fiat headquarters in Turin, Italy.

Sergio Marchionne, the enigmatic sweater-clad chief executive of both Chrysler Group LLC and its Italian partner, Fiat SpA, will serve as the commencement speaker for the University of Toledo’s May 8 graduation ceremony, the university announced Thursday morning.

Mr. Marchionne will speak to graduates of UT’s colleges of Business Administration, Engineering, and Arts and Sciences at 9:30 a.m. in Savage Arena on its main campus, and will receive an honorary degree from UT, a spokesman for the university said.

The Chrysler CEO said in January at the North American International Auto Show that he expected to make an announcement about expansion of the automaker’s operations in metro Toledo “within six months.” 

He last visited Chrysler’s Toledo Assembly complex in August, when Vice President Joe Biden visited the plant. The complex makes Jeep Wranglers, Jeep Libertys, and Dodge Nitros.

The May 8 address will be Mr. Marchionne’s first collegiate commencement speech in the United States since becoming Chrysler’s CEO in June, 2009, Chrysler spokesman Shawn Morgan said.

Contact Larry P. Vellequette at lvellequette@theblade.com or 419-724-6091.