ABC News Political Commentator and NPR Senior News Analyst Cokie Roberts will deliver the University’s keynote commencement address at 2 p.m. May 16, the University announced in a news release Monday afternoon.
“We are pleased to welcome Cokie Roberts to LSU to speak at our May commencement ceremony,” said Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins in the release. “She brings years of experience covering some of the most exciting and noteworthy times in America’s history, and we look forward to the insight and knowledge she provides to our graduates as they are embarking on the next stage of their lives.”
Roberts, a New Orleans native, has 40 years of broadcast experience and has won three Emmy Awards. She has been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. American Women in Radio and Television cited her as one of the 50 greatest women in the history of broadcasting, and the Library of Congress named her a “Living Legend.”
Mass communication and printmaking senior Hannah Dorsett, who listens to Roberts regularly, said it’s exciting that the University recruited an “extremely prestigious” speaker to give the keynote address.
Roberts has authored numerous best-sellers like “We Are Our Mothers’ Daughters” and “Founding Mothers,” both of which highlight the role of women in American history.
She and her husband, Steven, write a weekly column published by United Media in newspapers around the country. They are also contributing editors to USA Weekend Magazine.
Roberts also serves on the boards of multiple nonprofit institutions and holds more than 25 honorary degrees.
“It’s awesome people recognize LSU as a top-notch university that’s worth coming to,” said communication studies junior Sidney Tauzin.
Other students who weren’t familiar with Roberts’ work said they didn’t have much of a stance on the University’s selection of her to speak at the commencement ceremony.
“I don’t really have a biased opinion on her,” said nursing sophomore Tilandis Sumblin. “I think it’s good though. I like that they got a national name rather than someone local.”
Sumblin said although she had never heard of Roberts and has no friends graduating, she plans to attend the ceremony to hear what Roberts has to say.
