Peyton R. Patterson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of NewAlliance Bancshares and NewAlliance Bank will speak to the Graduate School of Business on Friday at the school’s graduation ceremony.

Susan M. Phillips, dean of the school, said she was pleased to have two prominent speakers for the undergraduate and graduate School of Business ceremonies. Judith Muhlberg, consultant for Gagen MacDonald, will be the keynote speaker for the undergraduate celebration.

Patterson was named one of the top 10 U.S. banking industry CEOs by U.S. Banker Magazine in 2006 and was selected for the “2006 All-Star Banking Team.”

“Twenty-five years ago, I received my MBA and first job offer after graduating from GW’s Business School, and returning to celebrate with the class of 2008 is a dream come full circle,” Patterson said.

She was also named the second-most powerful woman in banking by U.S. Banker Magazine.

She said, “My advice to the seniors would be to set your sights high in the kind of career you pursue, and always take charge of your career path.”