The University announced Tuesday that Kristina Johnson, Under Secretary of Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy, will speak at the University’s spring commencement ceremony.Johnson’s job is to promote America’s energy security through reliable, clean and affordable energy, according to the Department of Energy Web site. Chancellor Michael Martin said he’s excited to have Johnson give the commencement address because of the encouragement she can offer students, particularly women.”She’s a very famous woman scientist,” Martin said. “That sends a message to young women out there.”Martin said a faculty senate executive committee makes a list of people it would like to invite to speak, and he picks from the list. The final decision is based on whether a potential speaker is available and what message they’ll send to students.Martin said he picked the fall commencement speaker on his own and wanted a variety of opinions involved in the decision this year. He also said he hopes to involve students in the process in the future. Sen. Elbert Guillory, D-Opelousas, spoke during the fall commencement.Martin said the amount of money it will cost to have someone speak affects whether they’re chosen.He said someone he was considering to deliver the commencement address — who he wouldn’t name — asked for $40,000, and the University can’t afford that amount at this time.He said the University is still in negotiations about the amount Johnson will be paid, but it will be less than $40,000.Past speakers include former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney while they were both in office, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Sen. Mary Landrieu and former President of Honduras Carlos Roberto Flores while he was in office.Student Government President J Hudson said he believes Johnson will be a good speaker because of her national and international studies but only learned who she is after she was chosen.Hudson isn’t alone — many students weren’t aware of Johnson’s accomplishments.David Nestasi, general studies senior, said he wasn’t planning to attend the main commencement ceremony, and Johnson won’t change his mind.”It’s just not relevant to my life,” he said.Jorge Aravena, interim chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, said he’s excited to have Johnson speak because she works with energy, which is important to the state and the University. Johnson received a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University. She was awarded with an honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Alabama at Huntsville in 2009 and was named the Women of Vision Award Winner by the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology in 2010.Johnson will speak Friday, May 21 at 9 a.m. in the PMAC. There is no limit on attendance, according to University’s commencement Web site. –Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]