Robinson Will Give Address At Graduation

The University announced yesterday that Mary Robinson, United Nations high commissioner for human rights and former president of the Republic of Ireland, will be the speaker for the 347th Commencement.

Commencement will be held on Thursday, June 4.

In a statement, President Neil L. Rudenstine praised Robinson and alluded to the fact that Robinson earned a LL.M degree from Harvard in 1968, after attending Trinity College in Dublin.

"Mary Robinson is an outstanding Harvard alumna, a pioneering former head of state and a vigorous leader in the pursuit of human rights around the world," Rudenstine said.

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Robinson returned to Ireland to become a law professor at Trinity College and a prominent constitutional and civil rights lawyer.

Robinson became Ireland's first female head of state in 1990 after serving two decades in the Irish parliament. During her seven-year term, Robinson was known for her activist, progressive stance.

Robinson last visited Harvard in 1994, when she gave a speech emphasizing tolerance and pluralism at a dinner hosted by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations and the Irish Cultural Society.

Yesterday, Dr. S. Allen Counter, director of the Harvard Foundation, praised Robinson's selection as "a wonderful choice."

"She was eloquent and sensitive, she reached out to the students in a wonderful way," Counter recalled. "She got a standing ovation."

Eileen P. Harrity '99, president of the Irish Cultural Society, said she was wistful Robinson was selected as the Commencement speaker this year, rather than next year.

"I really wish I were graduating this year. Do you know if non-seniors can come [to Commencement]? Because I'd really like to hear her speak," Harrity said.

The Commencement speaker is selected by Rudenstine, after consultation with the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Harvard Corporation.

According to Philip R. Kaufman '98, the First Harvard Class Marshal, the historical difference between the Commencement speaker and the Class Day speaker is that the Commencement speaker focuses on the University while the Class Day speaker focuses on the College.

He said seniors have much more say in choosing the Class Day speaker than in choosing the Commencement speaker.

Kaufman said he was happy with Robinson's selection.

"I think the students will be very enthusiastic to hear her speak," he said.

The class marshals are still in the pro- cess of selecting this year's Class Dayspeaker.

In the past, some Commencement speakers haveused the Harvard podium to announce major policydecisions.

At the 1947 Commencement, Secretary of StateGeorge C. Marshall outlined plans for America'spostwar economic rescue of Western Europe, nowknown as the Marshall Plan.

Recent speakers include Harold Varmus, directorof the National Institutes of Health, in 1996;Vaclav Havel, president of the Czech Republic, in1995; Vice President Al Gore '69, in 1994 andGeneral Colin Powell, former chairman of the JointChiefs of Staff, in 1993

In the past, some Commencement speakers haveused the Harvard podium to announce major policydecisions.

At the 1947 Commencement, Secretary of StateGeorge C. Marshall outlined plans for America'spostwar economic rescue of Western Europe, nowknown as the Marshall Plan.

Recent speakers include Harold Varmus, directorof the National Institutes of Health, in 1996;Vaclav Havel, president of the Czech Republic, in1995; Vice President Al Gore '69, in 1994 andGeneral Colin Powell, former chairman of the JointChiefs of Staff, in 1993