Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau, who rarely makes public appearances, was named the keynote speaker for this year's commencement by President Sanford J. Ungar.
The announcement was made February 21 at the senior class' "100 Nights" celebration in Kraushaar Auditorium.
"I really believe he's one of the most brilliant people of my generation," President Ungar said in an interview. "He is one of the most daring and outspoken social critics of our time."
The reaction among the senior class was mixed.
After hearing the announcement, Gen Harada '07 flatly declared, "I don't even know who that is."
Other students were more excited. After she called her mom, who is also a Doonesbury fan, Shari Green '07 said, "I'm glad it's related to something I know and not a politician."
A lot of people do not know anything about him -- and that is the way Trudeau has crafted his career. The most publicity he has received in his 37-year career -- since his comic strip debuted in 28 newspapers across the nation on October 26, 1970 -- was for his 1980 marriage to journalist Jane Pauley.
Those who know Trudeau simply know him as the creator of a Pulitzer Prize-winning comic strip. Those who don't know his work, Ungar thinks, should.
To help the Goucher community become more aware of Trudeau's work, the Office of Communications plans to place merchandise in the book store and posters in public spaces to promote the speech.
Chris Iseli, Director of Communications, explained in an e-mail: "This is the first time we have ever considered the possibility of launching an internal publicity campaign to raise awareness about a speaker. But please be careful about what you read into that. It is true that Sandy [Ungar] was somewhat puzzled that some members of the senior class seemed to not really understand the significance of Garry Trudeau and his work, but the other equally important reason we're thinking about ways to get his work out there is that we think it will be fun."
Trudeau has never been afraid to illustrate what is on his mind. In the 1960s and 1970s, he was famously opposed to the Vietnam War. More recently, he was critical of President Bill Clinton, portraying him as a greasy waffle. He now portrays President George W. Bush as a dictatorial Roman emperor.
Over the years, Trudeau has created countless characters in the series. From time to time, reports say, Trudeau himself has confused the characters with one another.
The ideology of Doonesbury is liberal. It is consistently anti-establishment. When it comes to satirists, fans of the comic series say that no one alive comes close.
In 2004, his strip supported once Democratic frontrunner, and now Democratic National Committee chairman, Howard Dean for the party's nomination.
Erica Green '07, senior class president, said that she is looking forward to his visit.
"Garry Trudeau is someone who I actually think is more in tune with our class' overall ideology," she said. "There's nothing like having an accomplished person who has made a career of making light of harsh realities, give you some insight as you go out into the world where sometimes that is necessary to survive."
Other announcements made at "100 Nights" included the announcement of the class gift (a three-by-four foot photo mosaic to be presented to President Ungar at commencement) and events planned for "Senior Week" (including class trips to Atlantic City and Six Flags), which starts May 19.
"100 Nights" was well-attended. Ungar said that in the six years he has been President, this year's attendance was the highest ever. Cheese and chocolate fondue fountains were the highlight. Champagne was flowing until the seniors drank it all up. The stage in Kraushaar was crowded, and the seniors appeared happy to all be together.
Dominic Luciano '07 explained, "This hasn't really hit me yet - it's a countdown to... what? It doesn't seem real."
Most students talked about how much they would miss each other. With about 100 nights to go until commencement, students recounted what they will miss most.
To students like Ben Beecher '07, the "community feel of Goucher" will be missed most. "I'm scared that once we hit the real world we're not just going to be able to roll out of bed and find friends," Beecher said.
Past keynote speakers include politicians and comedians.
Last year, writer, director and actor Harry Shearer spoke at commencement.
In 2005, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) spoke gave they keynote speech. (Pelosi is now serving as the first female Speaker of the House, since her election on January 4, 2007.)
In 2004, children's book author Maurice Sendak spoke. He is perhaps most well-known for his book "Where the Wild Things Are."
Former Baltimore mayor Martin O'Malley (D) spoke at commencement in 2003. O'Malley is now serving as Maryland's governor.
In 2002, journalist and host of PBS' "The NewHhour," Jim Lehrer gave the keynote address to the graduating class.
And, in 2001, comedian and actor Bill Cosby accepted the invitation.
It is President Ungar's longstanding policy to not pay any commencement speaker for their time. Ungar believes that speaking at commencement is an honor, and that paying someone to take the honor would not be consistent with it. --- Goucher's 116th commencement ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 25 outside on the Mary Fisher Lawn. Tickets are not required if the ceremony takes place outdoors. However, if it rains, the ceremony will take place indoors at the Sports and Recreation Center and each graduate will be allotted five tickets.
Be the first to comment on this article!