Posted Thursday, April 12, 8:52 p.m.
Updated Thursday, April 12, 10:26 p.m.
CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer will speak at Commencement in addition to keynote speaker University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, the University announced Thursday evening.
Blitzer is one of five honorary degree recipients who will address graduates and families at the University-wide event May 20, according to a University news release. Other recipients include Ralph Cicerone, president of the National Academy of Sciences, Harvey Fineberg, president of the Institute of Medicine and Lowell Weicker, Jr., president of the Trust for America's Health and former U. S. Senator and Connecticut governor.
The University confirmed Wednesday that Linda Cropp, former D.C. Mayoral candidate and city council member, will also speak at the ceremony, which will take place on the National Mall.
Tracy Schario, director of Media Relations, called the field of recipients an "eclectic group."
"If you look at past recipients, it's usually a cross section of folks," she said. "We look for people that represent excellence in their fields."
Blitzer, who can be seen at many home GW men's basketball games, is the anchor of CNN's "The Situation Room" and is an Emmy-Award winning journalist. He has authored two books and won the Journalist Pillar of Justice Award from the Respect for Law Alliance in 2004 and the Daniel Pearl Award from the Chicago Press Veterans Association.
"Wolf is an accomplished professional, he's won numerous awards, including an Emmy. He's an accomplished broadcaster and he is representative of what we hope our students aspire to," Schario said.
She added that Blitzer is a friend of Trachtenberg's who has been eligible to receive an honorary degree before, but this year was "an appropriate time to extend an invitation" because it is Trachtenberg's last year as president. Trachtenberg will be stepping down as University President this July after 19 years at the post.
Updated Thursday, April 12, 10:26 p.m.
CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer will speak at Commencement in addition to keynote speaker University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, the University announced Thursday evening.
Blitzer is one of five honorary degree recipients who will address graduates and families at the University-wide event May 20, according to a University news release. Other recipients include Ralph Cicerone, president of the National Academy of Sciences, Harvey Fineberg, president of the Institute of Medicine and Lowell Weicker, Jr., president of the Trust for America's Health and former U. S. Senator and Connecticut governor.
The University confirmed Wednesday that Linda Cropp, former D.C. Mayoral candidate and city council member, will also speak at the ceremony, which will take place on the National Mall.
Tracy Schario, director of Media Relations, called the field of recipients an "eclectic group."
"If you look at past recipients, it's usually a cross section of folks," she said. "We look for people that represent excellence in their fields."
Blitzer, who can be seen at many home GW men's basketball games, is the anchor of CNN's "The Situation Room" and is an Emmy-Award winning journalist. He has authored two books and won the Journalist Pillar of Justice Award from the Respect for Law Alliance in 2004 and the Daniel Pearl Award from the Chicago Press Veterans Association.
"Wolf is an accomplished professional, he's won numerous awards, including an Emmy. He's an accomplished broadcaster and he is representative of what we hope our students aspire to," Schario said.
She added that Blitzer is a friend of Trachtenberg's who has been eligible to receive an honorary degree before, but this year was "an appropriate time to extend an invitation" because it is Trachtenberg's last year as president. Trachtenberg will be stepping down as University President this July after 19 years at the post.
