For Release Monday May 10, 1999 noon
Contact: Kevin Carleton 617/353-3669
HENRY KISSINGER TO SPEAK AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT SUNDAY, MAY 23, 1999
(Boston, Mass.) - Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger will deliver the address at Boston University's 126th commencement exercises Sunday, May 23, at 11 a.m. President Jon Westling announced the speaker this morning during the annual senior brunch, held on campus in the George Sherman Union.
Kissinger, who served as Secretary of State under Presidents Nixon and Ford from 1973 to 1977, has played a major role in formulating American foreign policy. He organized the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks with the Soviet Union in 1969, and established diplomatic communications with the People's Republic of China in 1972. In 1983, President Reagan appointed him chairman of the National Bipartisan Commission on Central America, and he served on the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board from 1984 to 1990. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, and the Medal of Liberty in 1986. He currently is chairman of Kissinger Associates, Inc., an international consulting firm.
Westling also announced that the Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond will deliver the annual baccalaureate sermon on commencement day during a 9 a.m. service at Marsh Chapel. Pastor Hammond, a physician and clergyman, is the founder and pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Boston, and chairman of the Ten Point Coalition, an ecumenical group of clergy and lay leaders working to mobilize the community around issues affecting black youth.
Both Kissinger and Hammond will receive honorary degrees. Also receiving honorary degrees will be James Carlin, businessman and chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education; actress and alumna Geena Davis; and Dr. Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, president of The George Washington University.
This year, the entire commencement ceremony will be webcast. To view the ceremony, visit the BU Commencement website at www.bu.edu/commencement.
- 30 - May 10, 1999
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