Celebrated Broadcast Journalist Bob Edwards to Speak At the University of Saint Francis Commencement

March 28, 2008: The University of Saint Francis has announced that the university’s commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 3 at 2 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

The speaker for the commencement ceremony will be celebrated broadcast journalist Bob Edwards, who will also be awarded an honorary doctorate by the university: a Doctor of Humane Letters. Edwards is the host of XM Public Radio’s flagship program The Bob Edwards Show, an original weekday morning show that features interviews with newsmakers, journalists, entertainers, and other compelling figures.

Edwards is among the most distinguished journalists in broadcasting and has won the duPont-Columbia Award for radio journalism. In 1999, he and Morning Edition received a prestigious Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting. Edwards also received the Edward R. Murrow Award from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting for outstanding contributions to public radio. He serves as national first vice president of AFTRA, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. In November of 2004, Edwards was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.

Graduating senior Bridget C. Becker will deliver the invocation. Beth Avila, Bradley Carteaux and Katy Longenberger are the valedictorians of the class of 2008. There will be approximately 450 students graduating.

Baccalaureate Mass will be held on Saturday, May 3 at 10 a.m., at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (1122 South Clinton). Graduates and their families and friends of all faith traditions are warmly welcomed and encouraged to attend this service.

For further information, contact the Office of the President at 260-434-3297. Media interviews with Bob Edwards before the event may be arranged by contacting Jan Miller at 260-459-2525.

The University of Saint Francis, founded in 1890, is a comprehensive university in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, offering undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 2,100 students from a broad geographic region.