The Honoroable Chris Christie
Degree: 1984, Bachelor of Arts
Job Title: Former Governor of New Jersey
University of Delaware alumnus Chris Christie (AS ’84) earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, then went on to earn his law degree from Seton Hall University in New Jersey. When he became Governor of New Jersey in 2010, Gov. Christie upheld the University of Delaware’s status as the academic epicenter of politics. He preserved that status in 2015 when he became the second UD graduate to run for president.
Upon receiving his law degree, Gov. Christie joined the law firm of Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci in Cranford, N.J, where he established the firm’s litigation department. In December 2001, Christie was nominated and unanimously confirmed to be the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, and was sworn into office in January 2002. He was elected governor of New Jersey in November 2009.
Gov. Christie is married to fellow alumna Mary Pat Foster Christie (BE ’85). Both were active in student government, winning back-to-back class presidencies. Christie, who serves as an ex-officio member of the CPC’s Advisory Council, received the University?s Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement in 2003. He spoke at winter commencements in 2004 and again in 2011, when he was presented an honorary doctor of laws degree.