Pennsylvania Education Secretary pick for third-highest ranking federal education post

The White House Office of the Press Secretary today issued the following statement:

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate Gene Hickok to be Under Secretary of Education. He presently serves as the Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a position he has held since his appointment by Governor Tom Ridge in 1995. Before his appointment, he was the Director of the Clarke Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Contemporary Issues and a Professor of Political Science at Dickinson University [sic]. He is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, received his Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Virginia and received his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.

Regarding the nomination, U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige said, "I look forward to welcoming Gene Hickok to the Department and to having him as a partner in the effort to improve the quality of America's public schools. Gene will bring with him a valuable perspective and a strong commitment to making sure that no child be left behind."

NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional biographical information is available on-line at http://www.ed.gov/offices/OUS/hickok.html

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