DCist's Commencement Speaker Scouting Report
Nestled between cherry blossom season and the influx of D.C.'s summer intern and tourist season is a hopeful time, when students turn away from keggers and exams to graduate into the real world -- at least in theory. For Washington's thousands of college seniors, this means job hunting, leaving the friendly confines of campus and the prospect of moving into your parents' basement. It also means a litany of platitudes, advice and well-wishes from commencement speakers. Today DCist humbly offers the first of a two-part scouting report on who's speaking, who's not and yes, Oprah.
Kicking off the graduation festivities is Gallaudet University on May 11. After an academic year that saw campus operations ground to a halt by protests against the nomination of Jane Fernandes as President, students at the pre-eminent deaf university may be looking forward to a relatively sedate commencement. Dr. Albert J. Simone, president of the Rochester Institute of Technology is slated to give the keynote address.
Strengths: Simone is an experienced educator and RIT hosts the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, so he should be well versed on issues surrounding deaf culture.
Weaknesses: As we all know, graduates are always thrilled when presidents of universities deliver the keynote speech at their graduation. At least it's not their school's president.
The next day, Howard University throws down the graduation gauntlet with the mother of all speakers, Oprah Winfrey. The school made headlines when it nabbed Oprah for its graduation, immediately getting a positive response from students and alums.
Strengths: Oprah, Queen of the world!
Weaknesses: The Howard class of '07 has to endure jealous glares from other D.C. grads slated to hear from politicians and governmental appointees.
Photo by clgregor
Catholic University also holds its commencement on May 12. White House Press Secretary and long-time Fox News mainstay Tony Snow will address students on the lofty topics of "Reason, Faith, Vocation". Let's hope he as plenty of time to craft the speech, in between his preparation for the following week's battle of the bands. Though we guess he'll probably touch on his other battle in his speech.
Strengths: Snow is an experienced speaker whose conservative values may play well at the religious university.
Weaknesses: After witnessing Snow's prowess on the jazz flute, we'd be wondering why he didn't bring his instrument and jam with grads at post-ceremony receptions.
The University of the District of Columbia sends graduates into the world on May 12 as well. Students and their families will head to the Verizon Center and hear from Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Strengths: Jackson isn't afraid to speak his mind, so despite his position as a Bush appointee, he might surprise the crowd.
Weaknesses: Securing the Secretary of anything for a D.C. event is like picking up Express on the Metro.
American University wraps up next weekend's events with a Sunday commencement. NBC Newsman, and AU alum, David Gregory and NPR host Diane Rehm headline the ceremony.
Strengths: Students get a chance to enjoy a rare glimpse of Diane Rehm's incongruously young and attractive visage while listening to her familiar craggy voice (which is caused by Spasmodic Dysphonia). David Gregory could share some wacky anecdotes from his years in the White House press corps. Also, we've got a bit of a crush on the silver fox.
Weaknesses: Though both are regular fixtures on the D.C. media scene, out of towners who don't tune into NBC or NPR may be wishing they had more nationally famous AU alums like Willard Scott or Star Jones.
Next time on the scouting report: George Mason, George Washington, Georgetown, University of Maryland, Trinity and Southeastern