Commencement Keynote Speaker is
"Fast Food Nation" Author
Eric Schlosser
Investigative
reporter and author Eric Schlosser is the Commencement
2007 keynote speaker at both the morning and afternoon
ceremonies. He is an award-winning American journalist
and author known for investigative journalism.
A number of critics have compared his work to that of Upton
Sinclair. In 1998, Schlosser wrote an investigative piece
on the fast food industry for Rolling
Stone magazine. What
began as a two-part article turned into a bestselling book:
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of
the All American Meal (2001). Schlosser graduated
from Princeton University with a degree in American History
and from Oxford University with a graduate degree in British
Imperial History. He tried his hand as a playwright,
novelist, and screenwriter before turning to non-fiction
in his early 30s. MORE.
Information about the student speakers can be found on the Commencement Web site.
Honorary Degree Goes to Daniel J. Lanahan
A
honorary Doctorate of Laws is
being awarded to well-known Sonoma County attorney and
university supporter, Daniel J. Lanahan. Lanahan's
legal career encompasses two law firms - one for 26 years,
and the firm he founded, Lanahan & Reilley in 1997,
which is headquartered in Santa Rosa. Lanahan has represented
hundreds of corporations including start-ups in various
business transactions and litigations and was the National
Coordinating Counsel in nationwide litigation. The great
majority of his work during the past 25 years has involved
the trial of civil cases representing both plaintiffs and
defendants, most often in complex litigations, class actions
and what is known as “mass tort” litigation.
He is a member of the International Association of Defense
Counsel (IADC), as well as numerous other professional associations.
MORE
Friday Walk-Through of
Commencement for Volunteers
A Commencement "chalk-talk" led by Monitor Coordinator LouAnn Seaman is on Friday, May 25 at 2 p.m. in the Sue Jameson Room. This is intended mainly for the marshals and banner carriers. Directly after the talk (approximately 3 p.m.), they will convene at the Commencement site for a walk-through of ceremony, hopefully involving all marshals, banner carriers, readers and Commencement workers who are available.