ON THE ROAD WITH SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG ‘05

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg ’05 was joined by Pembroke College Foundation president Tom Herman ’71 in Freeport, Maine, in August as Buttigieg visited a highway bridge construction site funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. 

“Maine is the 50^th state I’ve visited as Secretary – and being  here on this beautiful summer day in Maine is no doubt the proverbial cherry crowning my travels to every state in the union. Saving the best for last!  What a wonderful place to complete this journey!” Pete remarked, as passers-by  honked and yelled, “Welcome to Maine, Mayor Pete!”, from their cars and a few others extended somewhat less-welcoming greetings while referencing the presidential campaign.

Pete said he had been reading about the many celebrations commemorating Pembroke’s 400^th birthday celebrations and regretted not being able to take part. “But as soon as my schedule allows, possibly even sometime after the election,  I would love to visit Pembroke and see the new Quad and the bridge over Brewer Street. Maybe even be invited to speak to students in the new auditorium.” 

Asked if he was disappointed that he was not chosen as Kamala Harris’ vice-presidential running mate, Pete shrugged, “Well you know, I was  really just honored even to have been considered. I’m fully occupied now with this job which I love. There’s plenty of time later for other things.”

Pete has especially fond memories of his time at Pembroke for being invited by then-Master Giles Henderson to “house-sit” in the Master’s Lodgings while Giles and Lynne Henderson were away to take care of the Henderson’s dogs. “The Master’s digs were, how shall I say it, quite a few notches up from my room in Staircase 9 in Chapel Quad in every way. And the Lodgings’ kitchen was open 24-7 .”