SHANNON KELLY
News Editor
Pepperdine received confirmation from Washington today that first lady Laura Bush will be Seaver College’s 2007 graduation commencement speaker. She will also be awarded the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the university.
“We’re always looking for diversity and by that I mean all kind of diversity and experiences in the world,” University President Andrew. K. Benton said. “I like to get different people from different walks of live and any time you can get prominent person in government, and certainly the first lady is included in that, it is a wonderful opportunity.”
Bush’s work as an international spokesperson and advocate for efforts to promote education has earned her a position as Honorary Ambassador for the United Nations Literacy Decade. Much of her education advocacy focuses on women and girls. In 2001, she delivered the president’s weekly radio address to call attention to the plight of women suffering under the Taliban and became the first wife of a president to deliver the weekly address, according to the White House Web site.
Benton says he thinks students and graduation attendees will appreciate Bush’s credibility. “I think she will be very well-received. She has a lot of interest in literacy and reading and education,” he said. “I just think that her view on the world and on politics in this country gives her a wonderful vantage point and I hope she’ll be able to relay that to students.”
In 1996, her husband President George W. Bush spoke as Pepperdine’s commencement speaker while serving as the governor of Texas. Former first lady Barbara Bush also presented the commencement address to Pepperdine graduates in 1992.
“I think it’s amazing and really great for Pepperdine,” said College Republicans President Kate Black. “I’ve heard her speak before and she’s a really good speaker.”
Black also said she hopes that, regardless of students’ political beliefs, they can appreciate that a first lady is coming to campus to wish graduates luck in their futures.
The Seaver College graduation will take place Saturday, April 28, at 10:30 a.m. at Alumni Park.
04-12-2007