College Commencement Speakers Around the Nation 2013
By Valentina Cordero
For hundreds of years students have worn academic regalia. It has an historical meaning and significance, and indicates the accomplishment of scholars. In fact, in the United States it is a tradition that goes back to the colonial colleges era. Moreover, it has been influenced by medieval Europe, and it was formally adopted and standardized in the 19th Century, thanks to the Intercollegiate Code on Academic Costume in 1984-1985. In 1932, the American Council on Education (ACE) authorized the appointment of a committee to “determine whether revision and completion of the academic code adopted by the conference of the colleges and universities in 1895 is desirable at this time, and, if so, to draft a revised code and present a plan for submitting the code to the consideration of the institutional members of the Council.” Academic regalia is a standard dress worn by both students and staff during special occasions, like commencement ceremonies, graduation, or other special events. There are many different colors of the robe and the stripes, and each of them indicates a different area of expertise. Journalism, for example, is crimson, Philosophy is dark blue, Law is purple and Music is light pink. The most common cap is the square academic cap, or mortarboard.
Northeastern University: Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank will also receive an honorary degree during the morning ceremony. “His efforts to ease worldwide poverty and increase social responsibility are inspiring, and we are pleased to honor his contributions,” said Joseph E. Aoun, president of Northeastern University.
Ohio State University: Barack Obama. It is the first trip to Ohio that he has announced since the election and he will be the third sitting president to deliver Ohio State’s commencement address.
Howard University: Bill Clinton. As a preeminent leader, humanitarian and advocate, his extraordinary global work and commitment to public service will inspire the class of 2013.
Wheelock College: Maria Shriver, Journalist and Author of six best-selling books.
Tulane University: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters and The Dalai Lama’s Commencement address at Tulane.
Rice University: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist and he is currently the Frederick P. Rose director of the Hyden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History. “Dr. Tyson’s speech at our commencement is especially timely and inspirational given Rice’s long history in space science and our current efforts to breathe a new dimension and direction into our relationships with NASA and the Johnson Space Center,” said Rice President David Leebron.
Concordia College: Shepard W. Hill president of Boeing. He drove the company’s growth.
University of Southern California: Jimmy Iovine Chairman of Universal Music Group’s
Interscope-Geffen-A&M Records unit. He is considered both a legendary figure in the music industry as well as a forward-thinking visionary.
University of Alaska Anchorage (community college): Kelsey Waldorf. She is a justice major and she has worked as a student researcher with the Alaska State Troopers and Anchorage Police Department.
Duke University: Melinda Gates. “She gives us a shining example of the difference a compassionate advocate can make in the world,” said Richard H. Brodhead, the president.
Saint Joseph College: Michael Scudder. He was a White House legal adviser under President George W. Bush from 2007 to 2009.
Lincoln Land Community College: Holly Black of Taylorville, the President of the LLCC Honors Program Student Organization.
