Clinton biographer to speak at winter commencement

Two ceremonies planned for Sunday, Dec. 20 will be the first midyear exercises at UW–Madison to be held in the Kohl Center. About 1,600 students will be eligible for degrees in December.

The author of several definitive articles and books about President Bill Clinton will speak at UW–Madison’s midyear commencement Dec. 20.

David Maraniss won the Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for a series of articles on Clinton’s life and career. He published First in his Class in 1995 and a second Clinton study, The Clinton Enigma, earlier this year. Maraniss is finishing a biography of former Green Bay Packer coach Vince Lombardi. The book will be out next fall. Currently a writer for the Washington Post’s national staff and an analyst for NBC, Maraniss also has written about former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the savings and loan scandals, integration in American institutions and more.

The UW–Madison Office of the Secretary of the Faculty oversees commencement. Secretary of the Faculty David Musolf says senior class officers choose a commencement speaker in consultation with staff from his office and the Dean of Students office.

“We encourage the class officers to consider outstanding individuals with a Wisconsin connection,” Musolf says. “David Maraniss grew up in Madison, virtually in the shadow of the university, and has an interesting perspective on our institution and state. We are honored that he has accepted our invitation and will give the ‘charge to the graduates’ at both of our winter commencement ceremonies.”

About 1,600 students will be eligible for degrees this December. Two ceremonies will be the first midyear exercises at UW–Madison to be held in the Kohl Center. All Ph.D., M.F.A., master’s and professional degree candidates, and bachelor’s degree candidates in agriculture, education, human ecology, medicine, nursing and pharmacy attend the 1 p.m. ceremony. Bachelor’s degree candidates in business, engineering and letters and science celebrate their graduation at 4 p.m.

No tickets are required. No alcoholic beverages are allowed. Parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on city streets and in university ramps and lots. Complimentary shuttle service will be available from lots adjacent to Camp Randall.

For more information, contact the university’s Commencement Hotline, 608-262- 9076.