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Friedman to speak at graduation, since Halberstam's death
by Michael Grillo and Anya Bergman
News | 5/1/07
Posted online at 10:21 PM EST on 4/30/07
/ Last updated at 1:19 AM EST on 4/30/07
Thomas Friedman '75, the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times, will address seniors as the keynote speaker at Brandeis' 56th commencement ceremony this month, the University announced last week.
The University had originally locked up David Halberstam, the famous author and journalist, for the May 20 ceremony, the University said in a press release Thursday.
But after Halberstam, also a Pulitzer Prize winner who was famous for his coverage of the Vietnam War, died April 23 in a car accident in Menlo Park, Calif., Friedman agreed to take his place, the University said. Halberstam was 73.
Friedman has won the Pulitzer three times and is a member of the Board of Trustees.
University President Jehuda Reinharz expressed sorrow over Halberstam's death:
"David Halberstam was truly a gift to this century-the country has lost one of the last great renaissance men," he said in the press release.
Reinharz also said he was "deeply grateful" to Friedman for agreeing to speak at the last minute.
In addition to his work for The Times, Friedman also penned the best-selling From Beirut to Jerusalem, the 1989 winner of the National Book Award for nonfiction, The Lexus and the Olive Tree and The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century.
Friedman declined to comment. Reinharz would not comment beyond the press release.
Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer, who was not involved with the initial choice of Halberstam as commencement speaker, wrote in an e-mail to the Justice: "I was sad when I heard that Halberstam had died in an accident. I have read a couple of his books, and he was such an important reporter during the Vietnam War."
Reinharz faced a tough situation when he had to choose a new speaker, Sawyer added, but choosing Friedman "is a very fitting choice and one I think the Class of 2007 will remember."
Aaron Gaynor '07 also expressed regret at Halberstam's death. "I thought he was an interesting choice. I was happy to see someone that was more creative than political, as opposed to having a dignitary, having someone who was a journalist," he said.
Despite his enthusiasm for having Halberstam speak, Gaynor said that he was excited to hear Friedman. However, he said, "I think a lot of people think he's pretty saturated on this campus already."
Friedman co-taught a class on globalization last semester, and has spoken on campus on numerous occasions.
Author Joyce Carol Oates, biologist Judah Folkman, vocalist Marilyn Horne, former Canadian Minister of Justice Irwin Cotler and architect Daniel Libeskind will receive honorary degrees from the University during the commencement ceremony, the press release stated.
-Rachel Marder contributed reporting.
The University had originally locked up David Halberstam, the famous author and journalist, for the May 20 ceremony, the University said in a press release Thursday.
But after Halberstam, also a Pulitzer Prize winner who was famous for his coverage of the Vietnam War, died April 23 in a car accident in Menlo Park, Calif., Friedman agreed to take his place, the University said. Halberstam was 73.
Friedman has won the Pulitzer three times and is a member of the Board of Trustees.
University President Jehuda Reinharz expressed sorrow over Halberstam's death:
"David Halberstam was truly a gift to this century-the country has lost one of the last great renaissance men," he said in the press release.
Reinharz also said he was "deeply grateful" to Friedman for agreeing to speak at the last minute.
In addition to his work for The Times, Friedman also penned the best-selling From Beirut to Jerusalem, the 1989 winner of the National Book Award for nonfiction, The Lexus and the Olive Tree and The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century.
Friedman declined to comment. Reinharz would not comment beyond the press release.
Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer, who was not involved with the initial choice of Halberstam as commencement speaker, wrote in an e-mail to the Justice: "I was sad when I heard that Halberstam had died in an accident. I have read a couple of his books, and he was such an important reporter during the Vietnam War."
Reinharz faced a tough situation when he had to choose a new speaker, Sawyer added, but choosing Friedman "is a very fitting choice and one I think the Class of 2007 will remember."
Aaron Gaynor '07 also expressed regret at Halberstam's death. "I thought he was an interesting choice. I was happy to see someone that was more creative than political, as opposed to having a dignitary, having someone who was a journalist," he said.
Despite his enthusiasm for having Halberstam speak, Gaynor said that he was excited to hear Friedman. However, he said, "I think a lot of people think he's pretty saturated on this campus already."
Friedman co-taught a class on globalization last semester, and has spoken on campus on numerous occasions.
Author Joyce Carol Oates, biologist Judah Folkman, vocalist Marilyn Horne, former Canadian Minister of Justice Irwin Cotler and architect Daniel Libeskind will receive honorary degrees from the University during the commencement ceremony, the press release stated.
-Rachel Marder contributed reporting.
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