Wolf Blitzer, a widely known journalist, will deliver this
year’s commencement address to more than 1,800 Saint Louis
University graduates on Saturday, May 15 at the Savvis Center.

“Blitzer is an award-winning, highly respected broadcast
journalist that has the positioning to reach the world’s leaders
and let us know what they are thinking on issues that affect the
lives of all of us,” said Julius Hunter, vice president for
Community Relations.

“He is a guy that talks about current crisis in the Middle East,
and what’s going on with Iraq, what’s going on in the political
arena especially in the presidential election year, what’s going on
in the economy … which are all issues that will affect every
graduate,” Hunter said.

Referred to as the “iron man of television,” he has covered many
key events that have shaped the political landscape. Blitzer
currently anchors CNN’s “Wolf Blitzer Reports” and hosts “Late
Edition with Wolf Blitzer,” a Sunday talk show seen in more than
200 countries. In addition, Blizter has interviewed many of the
world’s influential leaders. He also anchors CNN’s “America Votes
2004,” the network’s coverage of the presidential race and other
major news events.

Blitzer joined CNN in 1990 as the military affairs correspondent
at the Pentagon that entrusted him to cover the Gulf War and was
the chief correspondent to the White House during the Clinton
administration.

He has been recognized widely for his many contributions to
journalism and has received many honors. While the committee
considered a number of possibilities for the commencement speaker,
University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., requested that the
committee stay away from controversial speakers, in hopes of
avoiding an incident like last year’s selection process.

In that respect, the committee avoided politicians and those
whose political and/or philosophical beliefs would offend large
segments of the University community.

It would be suicidal for the committee and the University to
bring in a speaker that did not follow the University’s key values
and missions, Hunter said.

“A committee representing students, faculty and staff selected
Blitzer from dozens of respected and worthy candidates … a
remarkable quality for this journalist is that we could not figure
out where he stood on hot button issues (while) some journalists
tip their hand and, thus, tarnish their reputation for being
objective, Hunter said.

“Blitzer bring to the table international recognition, and what
I would call a fairly unbiased journalist view ,” said Vince
Giacabazi, student member of the selection committee. “I think it
is an honor that he agreed to speak at SLU.”

“We felt that Blitzer sits in a key position in our world to
speak to the graduates about the world which they will enter after
graduation,” Hunter said. “Wolf is innately qualified, I can’t
think of anyone else that could tell you what is going on
elsewhere. When you step outside of the Saavis Center on Saturday
morning, Blitzer will have let you (the graduates) know what is
happening and what you can expect to know from a number of areas
that will affect your life.”

“I am really looking forward to giving the commencement address
(at Saint Louis University),” said Blitzer.

“Getting a first-rate college education is one of the most
important steps in a person’s life, and I am honored to be asked to
share this moment with these wonderful graduates.”

In addition to delivering the commencement address, Blitzer will
be receiving an honorary degree from SLU. Blitzer earned his
bachelor’s degree in history from the State University of New York
at Buffalo and his master’s degree in international relations from
the John Hopkins University School of Advanced International
Studies, in Washington D.C.

Others receiving honorary degrees include: Scott and Kathy
Hummel, founders of Our Little Haven; Brigadier General Clara L.
Adams-Ender, current president and CEO of a managing consulting
agency and retired U.S. military commander; Bishop Robert J.
Shaheen, pastor of St. Raymond Church in St. Louis.

“I am very pleases that the committee selected such an admirable
and diverse slate of recipients who have made a wide array of
contributions to our community and society,” said Hunter.