Iowa State has landed another big name to speak at commencement — retiring Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad.

The governor will take the stage during Saturday’s 2 p.m. undergraduate ceremony in Hilton Coliseum, said Debbie Lettow, commencement coordinator in the Registrar’s office.

“It’s a very great honor for me to speak at graduation at Iowa State University. It’s one of the finest public universities in the country,” Branstad said.

Past ISU commencement speakers have included opera star Simon Estes, Hugh Sidey of Time Magazine and Frederico Mayor, the director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

But Branstad, a University of Iowa graduate, is the first political personality in recent years, said John McCarroll, director of University Relations.

“It’s always nice to have someone who’s been in a position like the governorship,” he said. “[Branstad] is a national figure as far as governors go.”

As Iowa’s chief executive for the last 16 years, Branstad has been known as a friend of the universities.

“He’s been very supportive of education in general, and particularly higher education,” McCarroll said. “We’ve had a very good relationship with him here at Iowa State, and we thought it would be a really nice tribute to him, as well as a nice attraction for our undergraduate graduation, to have him as a speaker.”

Branstad said increased teacher salaries are only part of the reason that the Iowa regent schools, and especially ISU, have improved during his tenure.

“I wanted to make a difference and help, and we’ve invested in agricultural research, and we’ve developed the fiber-optics network,” he said.

Eric Woolson, the governor’s press secretary, said Branstad will exhort graduates to stay in the state and enjoy benefits such as an excellent educational system.

“He certainly challenges the graduating class to do their best and also encourages them to look for opportunities in Iowa,” Woolson said. “He reminds people that there are a lot of great reasons to live here in Iowa.”

Branstad typically makes three or four college commencement speeches and one or two high school appearances each year, Woolson said, but ISU’s ceremony is his only one this semester.

“With four weeks left in his term, this is going to be a special event for him,” Woolson said.

Speechwriter Erica Buster said the governor has a usual recipe for his graduation speeches, though he has not started the ISU version.

“Traditionally, he shares what he calls his ingredients for success,” Buster said.

Branstad said those ingredients are: having a positive attitude, setting goals, working hard, looking for opportunities, adjusting to changing times and helping others.

“It is my intention to give a relatively short speech, and I want it to be upbeat,” he said, setting a likely time limit at 12 minutes.

In a letter sent earlier this semester, ISU President Martin Jischke invited Branstad to speak at commencement, and the governor accepted about two weeks ago, said Charles Dobbs, executive assistant to the president.

“It’s an opportunity for him to reflect on those 16 years [as governor] and his support for education, and his support for Iowa State,” Dobbs said.

Jischke also will speak at Saturday’s ceremony.

Many graduates-to-be were unaware that Branstad was on the program.

“This is the first I’ve heard about it,” said Liz Nordeen, who is graduating with a marketing degree. “My friends have all been wondering what was going to be happening.”

Lynn Schmitz, also a graduating senior in marketing, agreed.

“I didn’t even know,” she said. “It hasn’t been mentioned anywhere I’ve seen.”

Schmitz said she has gathered most of her news about graduation from a bulletin board in Carver Hall, but she said the governor’s appearance was not widely publicized.

All seniors, their families and guests, and members of the public are welcome to attend Saturday afternoon’s ceremony. Tickets are not needed.

Lettow said the speaker for Friday night’s Graduate College ceremony, beginning at 8 p.m., will be Donald Beitz, distinguished professor of agriculture and professor of biochemistry and animal science.