Renowned Journalist Named Commencement Keynote Speaker

MEDIA RELEASE

For Release: Immediate

Contact: JoAnn ShroyerCommunication and Marketing Services(320) 363-5407 or [email protected]

May 7, 2001

College of Saint Benedict Welcomes Commencement Keynote SpeakerHelen Thomas, Former White House Correspondent for United Press International

St. Joseph, Minn. ö Helen Thomas, renowned journalist for the past 40 years, will deliver the keynote address at the College of Saint Benedict commencement ceremonies at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, in the Clemens Field House. The 2001 CSB graduating class will include 477 undergraduate women.

Thomas, who reported on eight presidential administrations as United Press Internationalâs White House correspondent, blazed the trail for generations of women journalists and at her first presidential press conference coined the now traditional close: ãThank you, Mr. President.ä

Her memoir, Dateline: White House, discusses her experiences with the presidencies of Johnson through Clinton. Thomas recently joined Hearst Newspapers in July 2000 as a Washington columnist, writing two columns each week on current national issues. Her latest experiences prompted her to write a second book, Front Row at the White House.

During the Saturday afternoon ceremony, CSB President Mary Lyons will present Thomas with the College of Saint Benedict's President's Medal, an award that recognizes persons who have distinguished themselves through individual achievement. The award recognizes the talents, efforts and dedication required to meet new challenges. The President's Medal is bestowed on nationally known and respected individuals in recognition of outstanding achievement. The award symbolizes the college's dedication to the pursuit of excellence and the attainment of personal triumphs.

The College of Saint Benedict is a private, nationally recognized womenâs, residential, liberal arts, Catholic Benedictine college of 1,900 students, located in St. Joseph, Minn., joined in a coordinate mission with Saint Johnâs University for men. As the only Catholic all-womenâs Baccalaureate I college, Saint Benedictâs is unique in its commitment to gender-specific education within a coeducational environment.

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