Renowned author David McCullough, of John Adams and 1776 fame, will deliver the 2009 commencement address, U President Michael Young announced to the Board of Trustees on Tuesday.
McCullough, who has received a number of awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, two National Book Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work, will address U graduates at the commencement ceremony May 8 at the Huntsman Center.
“To have an educator of Mr. McCullough’s excellence and stature speak at our commencement celebration is a profound honor for the U and one that will resonate deeply for our graduates,” Young said in a statement. “His incomparable talent for painting the remarkable beginnings of our great nation and showing us the inspired leaders who helped shape its foundations will set the perfect stage for a graduating class ready to make its own indelible mark on society.”
Laura Snow, special assistant to Young, said it is the president’s prerogative to decide who speaks at commencement, but he must get the approval of the Board of Trustees to give the speaker an honorary degree, which is the custom for commencement speakers. The trustees will decide whether to approve McCullough’s honorary degree at their March meeting, along with four other potential honorary degree recipients.
“I think the reasons for choosing him are quite obvious8212;he’s a world-renowned author and a very interesting man,” Snow said. “The board was very receptive.”
McCullough’s books, which also include Truman, Great Bridge, Johnstown Flood and Path Between the Seas, have sold almost 9 million copies. McCullough graduated from Yale University and has been awarded more than 40 honorary degrees.
David McCullough