U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Chair Cherryl T. Thomas has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Administration degree by Boston College.

Citing Ms. Thomas as a "dedicated and gifted public servant," the degree recognizes her long career in city government and commitment to civic agencies as reflective of "Jesuit education's ideal of learning in the service of others." Ms. Thomas was presented her honorary degree at the college's May 21 commencement program.

Ms. Thomas was appointed RRB Chair by President Clinton in 1998. An independent Federal agency headquartered in Chicago, the RRB administers the $8.5 billion-a-year benefit programs provided under the Federal Railroad Retirement and Unemployment Insurance acts covering the nation's railroad workforce and their families.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Thomas had served since 1994 as Commissioner of the Department of Buildings for the City of Chicago. In her career with the City of Chicago, Ms. Thomas also served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Richard M. Daley from 1992 to 1994, Director of Personnel Policy and Utilization for the Department of Water from 1989 to 1992, and Director of Management Services for the Department of Aviation from 1983 to 1989. She began her career with the city as a research chemist for the Department of Water.

A native and resident of Chicago, Ms. Thomas received her B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry from Marquette University, and her M.S. degree in Physiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Ms. Thomas is an active member of Chicago's civic, educational and cultural communities, and currently serves as a Trustee for St. Ignatius College Prep, Loyola University, and Brookfield Zoo. She is also an Advisory Board Member for St. Peter's Church, a Board Director for the Chicago Public Library, and a Board Member for the Chicago Cultural Center. In addition, Ms. Thomas serves as a Member of the Mayor's Zoning Reform Commission for the City of Chicago, and as a member of the Cook County Forest Preserve District's Revenue Enhancement Committee.

# # #