Edsel Ford to Speak at Dearborn High School That Shares His Name

On June 15, Edsel's coming to Edsel.

Ford Motor Company heir Edsel B. Ford II will deliver the commencement address to the graduating class of 2012 at the Dearborn school named after his grandfather, , Dearborn Public Schools announced Tuesday.

The graduation ceremony will take place June 15, starting at 6 p.m.

“It is an honor to have Mr. Ford attend our commencement and share his wisdom and advice with the class of 2012,” Edsel Ford Principal Hassane Jaafar said in a statement.

Edsel B. Ford II is the great-grandson of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company. His grandfather is Edsel B. Ford, company president from 1919 to 1943. His late father, Henry Ford II, was president of the company from 1945 to 1960 and chairman from 1960 to 1980.

Edsel Ford II's career at Ford Motor Company spans more than 25 years. He was named president and chief operating officer of Ford Motor Credit Company in May 1991 and elected a company vice president in 1993.

Currently, he serves on the company's board of directors, and is active in several charitable organizations. His community leadership positions include serving as the former chairman of the National Advisory Board of the Salvation Army and board member of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Edsel Ford High School, opened in 1955, sits on a 47 acre site that was donated by Ford Motor Company. The school naming committee chose to honor Edsel Ford because of his many contributions to education through the Ford Foundation. Following Edsel Ford's untimely death in 1943, it seemed fitting that a school be named in his honor, according to the district.

District spokesman David Mustonen said that the school has been attempting to secure Ford as a commencement speaker for some time, but until this year, was unable to because of scheduling conflicts.