Former Vice President Walter Mondale '50 will give the keynote speech at this year's Commencement to take place on Sunday, May 18. Mondale was picked to replace the speaker chosen initially who, according to President Mike McPherson, had to cancel due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict. McPherson said that disclosing the initial speaker's identity would be unfair to him or her.

The announcement comes following the circulation of rumors around campus as to the identity of the replacement speaker, including one that the role would be filled by McPherson.

McPherson acknowledged that he had considered delivering the speechhimself, but that he ultimately decided against it. "I was flattered that some folks thought I might be a good commencement speaker, but it was my decision to take myself out of play," he said. "I will have plenty of opportunity to communicate with Macalester seniors and their families, including at commencement."

He said that the decision to have Mondale speak was ultimately and formally his, and that it had come from senior staff members based on student suggestions.

Mondale last spoke on Macalester's campus in the fall, having chosen the Kagin Ballroom to kick off his senatorial campaign as the replacement for Paul Wellstone, who died in a tragic plane crash weeks before the election.

"[Mondale] is a perfect choice because he has been so closely aligned with Macalester since the 1940s," said Doug Stone, Director of College Relations.

"I can think of no one who more ably represents Macalester's values than Fritz Mondale," McPherson said in the press release that was distributed by Stone on Feb. 19. "In uncertain and troubling times like these, he is a voice of reason, diplomacy and candor."

McPherson told The Mac Weekly that he could not say what the reaction to this announcement would be. "I've learned not to predict what will satisfy people!" he said. "I will say that the more anyone knows about Fritz Mondale, the more reason they will have to embrace this choice with great enthusiasm. I have no doubt whatsoever that the senior class and their families will feel great about their commencement and about the wonderful job Mr. Mondale will do once they hear him. He is a person of great humor as well as deep knowledge and wonderful judgment."

In last week's The Mac Weekly, an ad-hoc committee of eight graduating seniors ran a letter expressing their will to work with the administration in finding a replacement speaker. "We were concerned that the decision was being made without student input," said Jessica Smith '03, one of the committee members. She said that members of the administration were in fact willing to work with the group in formulating ideas.

Laura Glaeser '03 was also one of the seniors who signed the letter and was part of the committee, and maintains concerns about the process of choosing a speaker. "It's something that is supposed to be for the benefit of students, and there appears to be very little student involvement," she said. "I don't think the process is very transparent to the student body."

Both Smith and Glaeser said that their issues lay most importantly with the process itself, and not with any potential speakers. They both expressed satisfaction with the final decision.

"I'm definitely happy with [Mondale]. We sort of predicted that it would be him," Smith said.

"When we were brainstorming possible speakers, it always kind of came back to Walter Mondale," Glaeser said. "I'm not surprised at all. Considering the circumstances it was definitely a safe choice and I'm sure he'll have interesting things to say."

Mondale served as Vice President to Jimmy Carter from 1976–1980, and prior to that represented Minnesota in the United States Senate (1964–1976). He also served for three years as ambassador to Japan during the Clinton administration.

"He has been on the inside of power for more than a quarter of a century," Stone said. "With Hubert Humphrey he's probably the most qualified public servant in Minnesota."

For the past several years he has given a series of lectures co-sponsored by Macalester, the Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Public Radio and the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota entitled "Fifty Years, the Mondale Lectures on Public Service."

According to the press release, there will be two honorary degree recipients at the commencement, which according to Stone are chosen by the Board and the President and require faculty approval. The Rev. Sally Abrahams Hill '51 will receive a doctor of divinity degree. She was the first female minister ordained in the Twin Cities Area Presbytery. Warren MacKenzie will receive a doctor of humane letters. He is an established potter and Regents Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota.

The press release also states that the student speaker will be chosen next month.