Columnist, OU grad tabbed as commencement speaker

By Becca Manning
For The Post

Ohio University has secured Clarence Page, columnist for the Chicago Tribune, to speak at the two graduation ceremonies on June 9.

Page, a 1969 graduate of OU and member of the University Foundation Board, previously addressed OU's graduating class of 1993. At that time, Page was awarded an honorary doctorate from OU for his distinguished work in journalism.

Senior Class Council's first choice as speaker was former South African President Nelson Mandela, who declined because of health reasons, according to a Feb. 14 Post article.

Tom Brokaw, anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, also declined Glidden's offer because of a schedule conflict.

Page, winner of the 1989 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary and a 1972 group Pulitzer, is expected to share his views about the 2000 national elections, President Robert Glidden wrote in an e-mail message.

"He's an excellent speaker with a national and international reputation and perspective," Glidden wrote.

Page could not be reached for comment.

On Wednesday, the council approved Page, who had accepted an earlier invitation from Glidden to speak, said Gigi Jameel, council president. Jameel declined to comment on the council's decision.

The council will pay Page's airfare and accommodations but cannot pay him for addressing the class, Jameel said in the Feb. 14 Post article.

Several graduating seniors, concerned with registering and paying $50 by the Tuesday deadline to participate in the ceremony, said they have given little thought to who will speak. Yet others said they have some expectations.

"I would be looking for someone who has some experience on life, someone who would leave our graduating class with words we can use in the future," graduating senior Kelly Bretcher said.

Graduating senior Dan McKosky said the speaker's message is more important than his profession.

"If they have an interesting speech and a good outlook on graduation then it doesn't really matter what their profession is," he said.