Tom Wolfe will be the Valedictory Speaker for this year's graduation festivities, according to University Relations.
Wolfe will speak May 20 during Finals Weekend 2006.
Fourth Year Trustees President Jordan Levy said the Fourth Year Trustees committee chooses the valediction speaker and that the ceremony is unique in its connection to students.
"The students get to run [this ceremony] rather than graduation," Levy said. "We are really excited that Tom Wolfe had agreed to speak at the ceremony."
The committee chose Wolfe to speak because of his ability to connect with a wide variety of people, Levy said, citing Wolfe's recent novel, "I Am Charlotte Simmons."
"It's about college life at a southern institution and that would speak to our generation," Levy said. "He has also written 'Bonfire of the Vanities' and 'Man in Full' that speak to not only our generation but our parents' and other alumni generations as well."
Fourth-year College student Annie Cardi said she was pleased with the decision to have Wolfe speak at the Valediction.
"It's really excited that we have an author coming to speak at graduation," Cardi said. "I know as an English major I find it particularly exciting that someone from my field will be there."
Cardi said Wolfe's speech will be relevant in regard to his publication of "I Am Charlotte Simmons."
"His speech will be particularly meaningful especially because his last book was set in a university setting," she said. "I wonder what his views are about college life, higher education and the so-called 'real world' that [the Class of 2006 is] about to embark into."
Other students were less enthusiastic about the choice of Wolfe as speaker. Fourth-year college student Sarah Stoneham said she was indifferent about the selection.
Charlotte Simmons "was unrealistic about competitive college," Stoneham said. "Honestly, I really don't care."
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