David Remnick, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and editor of The New Yorker, will deliver the 2014 Commencement address May 11 in the Carrier Dome.

Remnick, who is also an expert and commentator on Russia, will give his speech at the joint ceremony for Syracuse University and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, according to a March 31 SU News release.

“As an author and journalist, David Remnick is one of the most insightful chroniclers of world events and the people who shape them,” Chancellor Kent Syverud said in the release.

Remnick graduated from Princeton University, and began his reporting career at The Washington Post in 1982, where he eventually became the paper’s Moscow correspondent. He joined The New Yorker in 1992, and in 1998 was named editor of the magazine. In 2000, Remnick was named Advertising Age’s Editor of the Year.

“His insatiable curiosity, excellence at his craft and integrity are qualities we work to cultivate in all our students, and I know the message he will share will make this momentous day even more special for them,” Syverud said in the release.

Leo Wong, a senior advertising major and 2014 class marshal, said he chaired the Commencement Speaker Recommendation Committee, which was made up of all the university marshals from each college and school on campus.

In addition to speaking, Remnick will be awarded an honorary degree.

Last time Remnick was on SU’s campus, he came for the dedication of the Bill Glavin Magazine Lab at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Wong said the committee sent a list of potential speakers to Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric Spina for consideration, and the options were narrowed down based on a few factors, including availability and price.

He added that Remnick should be an engaging speaker with plenty to offer the graduating class.

“He brings a very international perspective and lots of experience,” Wong said. “He seems very personable, very light-hearted and a great speaker so I’m looking forward to it.”

He hopes Remnick is a speaker all of the students in the audience can be excited about, he added.
Said Wong: “I hope it’s something students can relate to and be inspired by because that’s what a commencement speech should do.”

Published on March 31, 2014 at 2:39 pm

Contact Brett: blsamuel@syr.edu | @Brett_Samuels27