Sean O’Keefe named 2014 PAIA Convocation Speaker

Sean O’Keefe, ’78 MPA

The Maxwell School is pleased to announce that one of America’s most outstanding public servants, Sean O’Keefe ’78 MPA, will address graduates and their families and friends at the Department of Public Administration and International Affairs’ MPA Convocation on June 27, 2014.

Now, I first met Sean when he was the speaker at my MPA Convocation ceremony… not that we really met. It was more of a handshake and a polite exchange of pleasantries between a noted dignitary and a newly minted MPA.  But, I did get to know Sean very well after that. We both started at Maxwell that summer of 1996.  His office was just four down from mine in the PAIA Office Suite for nearly five years. “Professor O’Keefe” is still revered by his former students.  He is no doubt one of the most dedicated and exceptional faculty members I have had the pleasure to work with – and that is saying a lot given the strength of our faculty at Maxwell. His no nonsense approach to teaching real work skills and how to really write a cohesive memo are still mentioned every time his name comes up when I meet with alumni.  Despite leaving our faculty, Sean has remained an ever loyal and committed alumni and former faculty member of our school and community. It will be nice to see him reprise his role as Convocation speaker later this month.

O’Keefe, who serves as chairman of the Maxwell School advisory board, was formerly secretary of the Navy, administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, comptroller and chief financial officer of the Department of Defense, and chancellor of Louisiana State University.  He most recently served as chairman and CEO of Airbus Group, EADS North America.

O’Keefe has been associated with Maxwell for many years.  From 1996 to 2001, he was the Bantle Chair of Business and Government Policy at the Maxwell School and served as director of the National Security Studies Program.

The MPA Convocation will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Hendricks Chapel, followed by a reception on the Quad.