Knight Ridder-Tribune
Serge Kassardjian will have to drag himself out of bed early June 16 for one final lecture.
But this is one lecture that the Stanford University senior will not mind sitting through. That's because the speech will be given by National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice as part of the Palo Alto, Calif., University's commencement ceremony.
"She knows exactly what a Stanford student goes through," said Kassardjian of the former Stanford provost. "We have had pretty much the worst year that anyone can remember for a long time," he said, referring to the events of Sept. 11.
Kassardjian, one of Stanford's four senior class presidents, is among thousands of college seniors eager for the graduation ceremonies that will close a chapter of their lives.
Before the graduates of 2002 have to worry about the complexities of 401k's and tax brackets in the next stage of life, commencement speakers nationwide will try to give students an uplifting, meaningful and lasting message.
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However, securing some of the nation's most renowned public figures to speak at commencement exercises is a challenging task for students, faculty and administrators at many schools.
"In past years, there has been a feeling of discontent in the lack of student involvement in the (selection of the) commencement speaker," Kassardjian said. "There's always positive feedback and negative feedback, but you can never please everyone."
Stanford's graduating seniors were polled early in the year to gauge interest in a graduation speaker, and the senior class presidents recommended several possibilities to the president and board of trustees, who make the official invitation.
"It was extremely successful to basically get our highest choice (as a speaker)," Kassardjian said. "It came out better than we could have imagined."
Many administrators agree that the commencement speaker can make a strong impact on the graduating collegians if the speaker is a notable figure and presents a powerful message.
"The most important thing is that they help everyone there experience the pride and excitement that the day is all about through their message," said Kyle Fisher Morabito, associate vice president for university advancement at Carnegie Mellon University. "A key factor in a commencement speaker is their ability to communicate and connect with an audience and to convey emotion and passion."
Others find that the success of a commencement speech is tied to its presenter.
"Commencement messages from year to year remain pretty much the same," said Kathryn Lee, assistant to the chancellor at Syracuse University. "The general theme is, 'You have this impressive opportunity with a college degree. Now go out there and use it for good.' What adds to the credibility of the message it is the person who delivers it."
Students and administrators are eager to hear the messages of this year's speakers, especially in light of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the tenuous international political situation. Whether honorees will focus on the celebratory nature of graduation or reflect on the difficulties of the past year is unknown, but some said it is important to mix comedy and sincerity with a profound message.
"Humor always entertains and captures attention, but it's important to have a nice blend," said Deborah Williams-Hedges, media relations assistant at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, where actor Alan Alda will be the speaker.
This year's commencement speakers are a mix of politicians, journalists, entertainers and business leaders, including actress Whoopi Goldberg at Wellesley College and actor James Earl Jones at Ithaca College.
Among the more prominent political figures participating in graduation ceremonies are Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Ridge will speak at Carnegie Mellon University, where he formed a good 2relationship with officials during his terms as governor of Pennsylvania. Giuliani, Time magazine's 2002 Person of the Year, will address Syracuse University's graduating class.
"People were in extremely high admiration for what (Giuliani) was doing vis-Ö-vis the Sept. 11 tragedy, and I think they still are," Lee said. "I would assume he will use his experiences of the fall and winter as the kind of commencement message to go out there and do good."
Foreign dignitaries who will address graduates include U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
"We believe that the visit of the secretary-general is particularly timely in light of the rapidly changing international situation," said John Margolis, associate provost at Northwestern University.
However, some universities chose a more traditional and local approach in selecting their commencement speakers. University of North Carolina graduates will hear from U.S. Sen. John Edwards, while Virginia governor Mark Warner will speak at James Madison University.
While some universities point to fame as an important factor in selecting a commencement speaker, others find alumni relations and community involvement to be equally important.
Indiana University alumnus and CBS broadcaster Dick Enberg will speak to graduates at his alma mater in Bloomington. National Public Radio newscaster Ann Taylor will do the same at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Fred Rogers, famous for the long-running children's show "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood," will speak to the 110 graduates of Chatham College in his hometown of Pittsburgh.
"We were looking for someone who could make their commencement meaningful," said Genna Cavanaugh, communications director at Chatham College. "Here in Pittsburgh, Fred Rogers is literally our neighbor so there is definitely that connection."
The process of selecting a commencement speaker doesn't always run smoothly. University of Notre Dame officials originally invited Mexican President Vicente Fox but when the country's Congress blocked his foreign travel in April, administrators scrambled for a replacement. Russert agreed to take on another speaking engagement and address the graduating class.
Regardless of the speaker, Kassardjian said that he is awaiting a message that should enhance the celebratory nature of graduation.
"I want a sense of comfort that everything is OK when you graduate and that we're going to make it," he said. "Optimism only comes with a sense of happiness."
