President Bush to speak at OSU commencement
Thursday, April 13, 2006
STILLWATER, OK – The White House announced today President George W. Bush will give
this year’s commencement address. Bush, who will speak at Boone Pickens Stadium Saturday,
May 6, will be the first commander-in-chief to address graduates at a college or university
in the state since President George H.W. Bush spoke at OSU in 1990.
“We are delighted that President Bush will give our commencement address,” said OSU
System CEO and President David Schmidly. “It is indeed an honor and privilege to have
the president of the United States visit our campus and share in what will be a momentous
day for our graduating seniors and their families.”
Mr. Bush will be the third U.S. president to speak at an OSU commencement. In May
of 1974 President Richard Nixon addressed graduates. Sixteen years later President
George H.W. Bush spoke during OSU’s spring commencement.
“The details surrounding the president’s visit are still being finalized,” said OSU
Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management Bill Ivy. The President is expected
to give the general commencement address Saturday morning. Following the commencement
ceremony OSU academic colleges will host separate convocations to recognize graduates.
The president is speaking at a total of four colleges this year, including a community
college hit by Hurricane Katrina: May 11 at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College;
May 27 at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.; and June 19 at the U.S. Merchant
Marine Academy.