Pulitzer Prize-winning author and presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin will deliver the keynote address at the OU commencement ceremony, university officials announced Monday.
Goodwin’s most recent book, “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” was released October 2005 and reached No. 1 on The New York Times Bestseller List.
Goodwin said by e-mail that she is honored to have been chosen as the commencement speaker.
“I’ve been to the university to lecture several times in the past years and know firsthand what a wonderful place it is,” she said.
OU President David Boren said Goodwin is one of the nation’s leading historians and has taught important lessons that will help the nation meet its current challenges.
“She will have an important message for our graduates,” Boren said in a press release.
Goodwin also is a fan of baseball and is known for being the first journalist to enter the Boston Red Sox locker room. Her love of baseball inspired her to write the book “Wait Till Next Year: A Memoir,” which focuses on her love of the sport and her love for her father.
Sasha Orjiako, mathematics senior, said she is looking forward to hearing encouraging and uplifting words from Goodwin.
“Since she has written many books on controversial issues, the speech should be very interesting,” Orjiako said.
UOSA President Katie Fox said she became a fan of Goodwin after watching her appearance on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”
“She is an extremely entertaining and insightful Pulitzer Prize-winning author,” Fox said in the release. “I am excited to have her as our commencement speaker since she can place the situation facing our graduates in a historical perspective in what I am sure will be an uplifting speech.”
Goodwin earned her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Colby College and her doctorate in government from Harvard University. After her time at Harvard, she served as an assistant to Lyndon Baines Johnson in his last year in office.
Goodwin will receive an honorary degree for her contributions to society through her chronicling of U.S. presidents, according to the release.
Commencement is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 14, in the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, 180 W. Brooks St.
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