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UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND PRESIDENT IS OBERLIN COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
MAY 4, 2001--William Gray III, president of The United Negro College Fund (UNCF), will deliver the address at Oberlin College's commencement, which will take place Monday, May 28 at 9:30 A.M. on Tappan Square.
Gray--cited as one of the 100 "most important Blacks in the world in the 20th century" by Ebony magazine in 1999--also will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree. A former Philadelphia pastor and teacher of history and religion, Gray has worked to remove racial barriers wherever he has encountered them, particularly in the political arena and in higher education. From 1979-1991, he served in the United States Congress, where he was so respected by his colleagues that he moved into key leadership positions. He was majority whip for two congresses and the first African American to chair the Committee on the Budget.
He also helped craft legislation to respond to the famine in Ethiopia, provided foreign assistance for African communities, and imposed economic sanctions on South Africa. He served as a special ambassador to Haiti for President Clinton, helping leaders in that country to restore a democratically elected President. Gray retired from the U.S. Congress to undertake the task of leading the UNCF, which he effectively restructured even as he exponentially expanded its funding base with assistance from Bill Gates and Microsoft, AT&T, IBM, and other major corporate donors..
Oberlin's May 28 ceremony marks the 168th commencement at the liberal arts college--the first in the U.S. to admit students regardless of their race or gender. More than 700 students are expected to receive degrees. In addition to Gray, others receiving honorary degrees are:
- Franco Farina '77, renowned tenor, will receive an honorary doctor of music degree;
- Douglas Taylor Ross '51, founder and first president of SofTech, Inc., will receive an honorary doctor of science degree;
- Richard Baron '64, a national urban redevelopment pioneer, will receive an honorary doctor of humanities degree.
Oberlin will also confer two special awards. Katherine Plank, founder and artistic director of the Oberlin Choristers, will receive the College's annual award for distinguished service to the community. George Andrews '54, Oberlin Emeritus Delaney Professor of Mathematics, will receive the College's Alumni Medal "in recognition of outstanding and sustained service to Oberlin College and its extended community."
Some 5,000 visitors will converge on Oberlin during its commencement and reunion weekend, May 25-28; it will feature various events and activities, many free and open to the public. Among them are the Baccalaureate address by Cleveland Roman Catholic bishop, The Most Reverend Anthony M. Pilla, at 4 P.M. Sunday, May 27 in Finney Chapel, located at the corner of Professor and Lorain streets.
The colorful and festive Campus Illumination and gala band concert will begin that same evening at 9 P.M. on Tappan Square. A complete schedule of other weekend activities--including symposia, campus tours, concerts, recitals, theatrical performances and tours of Oberlin perennial gardens and historic homes--can be obtained by calling the Office of the Oberlin Alumni Association at (440) 775-8692.
Media Contact: Betty Gabrielli
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