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Who's Speaking At Boston Area College Graduations

BOSTON (CBS) - Many distinguished people from all walks of life are expected to speak at local college graduations this month.

UMASS AMHERST

Catherine "Cady" Coleman (NASA Astronaut)

The Undergraduate Commencement will feature a videotaped address from Coleman, an alumna and NASA astronaut who is currently on board the International Space Station. Coleman will be offering congratulations to the 4,300 Earth-bound graduates at ceremonies.

BABSON COLLEGE

William Drayton (Founder and CEO of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public)

Drayton will address audiences at both Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement exercises.

EMERSON COLLEGE

Richard LaGravenese (Oscar-Nominated Screenplay Writer)

LaGravenese, a member of Emerson College's class of 1980, will deliver the undergraduate address. He is the writer of numerous screenplays, including The Fisher King, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award in 1992, The Ref (written with Emerson classmate Denis Leary), The Bridges of Madison County, The Mirror Has Two Faces, The Horse Whisperer, and Beloved. He has also written and directed several films includingLiving Out Loud, Freedom Writers, and P.S. I Love You. He wrote the screenplay for the current hit movie Water for Elephants.

SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY

Gov. Deval Patrick will address graduate students on Thursday, May 19, 2011, at 4 pm.

Margaret McKenna (president of The Wal-Mart Foundation) will address morning exercises for undergraduates on Sunday, May 22.

David Fanning (Executive TV Producer) will address afternoon exercises for undergraduates on Sunday, May 22.

BENTLEY UNIVERSITY

David Gergen (Political Commentator, Fmr. Presidential Adviser)

Gergen is currently a professor of public service and the director of the Center for Public Leadership at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He also appears regularly as a senior political analyst for CNN.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Katie Couric (Anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News)

BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY

David Brooks (New York Times Columnist)

SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY

Jeff Glor (CBS "Early Show" News Anchor)

TUFTS UNIVERSITY

Charles Vest (President of the National Academy of Engineering)

BOSTON COLLEGE

The 135th Commencement of Boston College will be held on Monday, May 23, 2011 in Alumni Stadium.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will address the Class of 2011 and receive an honorary degree at BC's 135th Commencement Exercises on May 23.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Amy Poehler (Comedian) will speak at Harvard College Class Day on Wednesday, May 25.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (President of Liberia) will speak at the commencement ceremonies on Thursday, May 26.

MIT

Ursula M. Burns (Mechanical Engineer & Chairman and CEO of Xerox Corporation)

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