Courtesy of WU Public RelationsStaff Report
Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has been tapped as the speaker for this year’s spring graduation. Albright will also receive an honorary doctor of humanities degree at Commencement, which begins at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 16, in the Washington University Quadran-gle.
“We are honored that Madeleine Albright has agreed to be our Commencement speaker as we prepare to begin the celebration of our 150th anniversary year,” said Chancellor Mark Wrighton in a written statement.
Nick Eaton, a senior, said that he looks forward to hearing Albright’s address.
“I feel that Madeleine Albright is both a good and relevant choice for a Commencement speaker,” he said. “Her expertise in international affairs will no doubt provide interesting topics of discussion and will hopefully inspire the graduating class to consider using their newly awarded degrees for the betterment of all humanity.”
Senior David Lessman agreed.
“I have my reservations about the Clinton administration’s foreign policy decisions and about Madeleine Albright’s actions as secretary of state, but I respect her as an intelligent and relevant political figure, and I look forward to an interesting commencement address,” said Lessman.
Albright served as the 64th secretary of state under President Bill Clinton. She is the only woman ever to work in such a capacity, and she remains the highest ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government.
Before becoming the secretary of state, Albright was the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations from 1993-97 and a member of Clinton’s Cabinet and the National Security Council.
After leaving public life, Albright returned to Georgetown University as the Michael and Virginia Mortara Endowed Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy in the university’s School of Foreign Service. She had previously served as a faculty member at Georgetown before leaving in 1992.
Albright’s experiences should enable her to give graduating seniors valuable insight into world affairs, said Wrighton.
“She has made many important contributions to our nation and the world and, especially at this time of political unrest around the world, I know that our graduates and their families will appreciate the opportunity to hear from such a distinguished world leader,” he wrote. “She is a perfect example of a person who has used her education and her intellect to make our world a better place, and there is no more important message that we can give our graduates.”
Senior David Langer agreed.
“She appears to be a very intelligent woman, whom I am honored to have here at WU,” he said. “I think her qualifications and her experience will enable her to give a moving and thoughtful speech that has the potential to be particularly relevant in today’s world.”
Albright’s selection may be controversial among those who support a war in Iraq, said one senior.
“Well, she worked under the Clinton administration and to some that could be considered as bringing in a more liberal voice to such a special event as Commencement and may be considered as a portrayal of the university’s stance on war,” said Andrea Pappalardo. “Even though it may very well be the popular stance of many here, it may upset some others. For me, I just think it is neat she’s coming.”