Civil Rights Leader to Speak at DePauw Commencement
DePauw University has announced civil rights leader Vernon Jordan Jr. will return to the Greencastle campus in May. The 1957 DePauw graduate will give the commencement address for the university’s 2018 graduating class.
This will be the third time Jordan has given the commencement speech at DePauw, having previously addressed the 1973 and 1993 graduating classes. He most recently spoke at the university in October 2016 during the inauguration of President Mark McCoy.
"Student government leaders polled our undergraduates to see who they would like to hear give the final speech they will hear as DePauw students and I was thrilled that they suggested Vernon Jordan," said McCoy. "His life story is a stunning example of the ‘uncommon success’ of our graduates, and his personal connection to this college is deep and profound. Vernon is a role model and dear friend to me. And, of course, everyone knows that he delivers speeches that are unforgettable."
Jordan is also an advisory member of the DePauw University Board of Trustees. In addition to being an attorney, Jordan is the former president of the National Urban League and former executive director of the United Negro College Fund.
DePauw’s 179th Commencement ceremony will take place May 20, 2018 in Holton Memorial Quadrangle.