Photo by sally henny penny

Welcome back to the Commencement Speaker Scouting Report! Last time, we brought you news of Gwen Ifill, Vernon Jordan and New York City police commissioner Raymond W. Kelly all heading to District universities to dispense platitudes and receive honorary degrees. Now it’s on to the rest of D.C.’s illustrious institutes of higher learning. Ready, set, graduate!

>> It’s going to be hard to beat The George Washington University in famous-for-D.C. star power at its commencement ceremony. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will deliver the school’s keynote address on the National Mall on Sunday, May 17.

Strengths: Incredibly powerful politician and policy leader + charismatic, passionate personality = commencement speaker gold. Also, many ladies of our acquaintance insist he’s easy on the eyes. Who are we to argue?

Weaknesses: He’s always got the potential to go off script and say something provocative or even offensive, embarrassing poor grandma. But this could just as easily be listed in the “strengths” category.

>> Talk about embarrassing! Georgetown looks to be getting Howard University’s sloppy seconds this weekend, as The NewsHour‘s Gwen Ifill is slated to deliver the keynote address across town as well. Georgetown College’s commencement exercises are on Saturday, May 16 on Healy Lawn.

Strengths: Same as last weekend, Ifill’s a respected newswoman, bestselling author and engaging public speaker. Also, she’s had plenty of practice now!

Weaknesses: Nothing makes a graduate feel more special than a recycled commencement address.

>> Tiny Trinity Washington hosts its 106th commencement on Sunday, May 17. Their commencement speaker will be Maggie Williams, Trinity class of ’77, and former special assistant/campaign manager to Hillary Clinton.

Strengths: It’s always more meaningful when the commencement speaker is an alumna, and Williams has certainly racked up an impressive resume since graduating from Trinity.

Weaknesses: Williams is known for her decades-long loyal service to Clinton, but also for, you know, being in charge of a failed presidential campaign last year. Expect of a lot wistful looking back at ’08 and what it meant.

>> The University of Maryland boldly goes with a weekday graduation ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, May 21. Former Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton and current CIA director Leon Panetta will deliver the keynote.

Strengths: Panetta’s known for his sense of humor, and from Congress to the White House to the intelligence world, he’s done it all.

Weaknesses: By now, his new job has surely provided him with plenty of terrifying national security stories that could put a real damper on the proceedings.

>> Not technically in the District, but a college nonetheless beloved by our city, George Mason graduates will toss the old mortarboards on Friday, May 15. Signed up to deliver the commencement address is none other than former Va. congressman and D.C. voting rights champion Tom Davis. MORE: Whoops! As helpfully pointed out in comments, Davis is merely giving the commencement address at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences ceremony. The main Mason commencement is on Saturday, May 16, at the Patriot Center, and will feature keynote speaker Steve Case, chairman and CEO of Revolution and co-founder of America Online. Case is obviously a way bigger deal than Tom Davis. He also arguably knows 100 percent more about massive, failed corporate mergers.

Strengths: Davis is a Republican that Democrats can love, making his appeal plenty broad. He’s also a pillar of the Northern Virginia community and a mild mannered, nice guy politician.

Weaknesses: The guy’s not exactly known for his fiery personality, so it could very well end up being a snoozer. He’s also had a few months to mull his speech over since leaving Congress; hopefully the lessons he has to share are more than just that the private sector pays a lot better.

>> And finally, beleaguered Southeastern University‘s commencement ceremony isn’t until June 28 (at DAR Constitution Hall). We have a call in to find out who their graduation speaker will be, and we’ll update as soon as we hear back.

Can’t find the school you were looking for? We probably covered it last week.