2008 Woodie Awards
MU selects commencement speaker
Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts to address graduates
Zach Dioneda
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Campus
Miami University has officially chosen Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC News' "Good Morning America," as the commencement speaker for graduation.
According to Richard Little, special assistant to the provost, this is the second year the decision was made by a variety of representatives from the Miami community.
In previous years, the sole responsibility for choosing the commencement speaker rested with the president of the university. However, when President David Hodge arrived at Miami in 2006, he expressed a desire to increase campus involvement in choosing the commencement speaker.
Hodge created a committee comprised of students, staff and faculty to provide insights, potential candidates and advice that he would take into close consideration when choosing the speaker.
Little chaired the committee on behalf of the president. Little said he focused on the idea that the commencement speech is a moment for the graduating seniors, so he said choosing the right speaker is important.
"You have to match the characteristics and quality of the speaker and the messages that they will deliver with their availability," Little said.
Communications professor Howard Kleiman said the university made a good decision choosing Roberts as the speaker. According to Kleiman, a good speaker should be able to entertain and captivate an audience who may not have a vested interest in the speech.
Kleiman said that Roberts is a good candidate for speaker, since she is viewed as a credible source for information due to her position on a national news show. Additionally, Kleiman said, Roberts will provide a unique perspective, representing Miami's continual push to increase diversity.
"She is bright, articulate and a leader who has brought broader exposure for women in the industry," Kleiman said.
It's not easy finding adequate and acceptable candidates, Kleiman said, as there are several variables that determines who is finally hired.
"You must find a balance between somebody that is interesting and has marquee value, with somebody who has a positive and appropriate message," Kleiman said.
Robin Roberts has worked as anchor for "Good Morning America" since 2005. Her most notable activities at "Good Morning America" have included a live report from New Orleans and along the coast of Mississippi in the wake of the chaos and devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Prior to her work at ABC, Roberts worked as an anchor on ESPN's "Sportscenter" and as a commentator on "NFL Prime Time."
Despite all of her qualifications, Roberts wasn't the only candidate in mind for the commencement speech.
Little said that the student's first choice for commencement speaker was Stephen Colbert, host of "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central. However, Colbert had already accepted an invitation to speak at Princeton University.
The commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 5 at Yager Stadium.
According to Richard Little, special assistant to the provost, this is the second year the decision was made by a variety of representatives from the Miami community.
In previous years, the sole responsibility for choosing the commencement speaker rested with the president of the university. However, when President David Hodge arrived at Miami in 2006, he expressed a desire to increase campus involvement in choosing the commencement speaker.
Hodge created a committee comprised of students, staff and faculty to provide insights, potential candidates and advice that he would take into close consideration when choosing the speaker.
Little chaired the committee on behalf of the president. Little said he focused on the idea that the commencement speech is a moment for the graduating seniors, so he said choosing the right speaker is important.
"You have to match the characteristics and quality of the speaker and the messages that they will deliver with their availability," Little said.
Communications professor Howard Kleiman said the university made a good decision choosing Roberts as the speaker. According to Kleiman, a good speaker should be able to entertain and captivate an audience who may not have a vested interest in the speech.
Kleiman said that Roberts is a good candidate for speaker, since she is viewed as a credible source for information due to her position on a national news show. Additionally, Kleiman said, Roberts will provide a unique perspective, representing Miami's continual push to increase diversity.
"She is bright, articulate and a leader who has brought broader exposure for women in the industry," Kleiman said.
It's not easy finding adequate and acceptable candidates, Kleiman said, as there are several variables that determines who is finally hired.
"You must find a balance between somebody that is interesting and has marquee value, with somebody who has a positive and appropriate message," Kleiman said.
Robin Roberts has worked as anchor for "Good Morning America" since 2005. Her most notable activities at "Good Morning America" have included a live report from New Orleans and along the coast of Mississippi in the wake of the chaos and devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Prior to her work at ABC, Roberts worked as an anchor on ESPN's "Sportscenter" and as a commentator on "NFL Prime Time."
Despite all of her qualifications, Roberts wasn't the only candidate in mind for the commencement speech.
Little said that the student's first choice for commencement speaker was Stephen Colbert, host of "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central. However, Colbert had already accepted an invitation to speak at Princeton University.
The commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 5 at Yager Stadium.
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