Download a high resolution photograph of Laura Bush (Credit: Hillsman S. Jackson)
Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States, will be the keynote speaker at Vanderbilt University’s Senior Class Day on Thursday, May 11, at 9 a.m. on Alumni Lawn.
In addition, Senior Class Day will mark the inauguration of the Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal, which is being presented this year to disaster relief workers around the world. Mrs. Bush will accept the recognition on their behalf.
Senior Class Day is held the day before Vanderbilt’s annual Commencement ceremony. It begins with the traditional Senior Walk through the main gates of the university, followed by a program on Alumni Lawn. More than 2,400 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees are expected to be awarded at the May 12 graduation program.
“The First Lady’s visit will be a unique and memorable moment for the Class of 2006,” said Chancellor Gordon Gee. “Mrs. Bush is an educator, a leader and an inspiration for so many people. We are delighted to welcome her to Vanderbilt to speak, and to accept the first Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal on behalf of the real heroes who have given their time, expertise and sometimes lives, in the service of others.”
The Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal was created and endowed by Vanderbilt Law School graduate Ed Nichols and his wife, Janice, in honor of Edward Carmack and Lucile Hamby Nichols, and will recognize those persons who define the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. The Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal will be presented annually at Vanderbilt’s Senior Class Day, and carries a cash prize of $100,000.
This year, the Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal will be accepted by Mrs. Bush on behalf of the men and women who, at great peril to their personal safety, have provided assistance to the victims of natural disasters around the world. The cash prize will be contributed to Vanderbilt to create the Nichols Humanitarian Fund, which will provide travel and living expenses for students and faculty who volunteer for disaster relief assignments around the world. The prize will be given in recognition and appreciation to the First Lady for her remarks to the Class of 2006.
Mrs. Bush is actively involved in issues of national and global concern, with a particular emphasis on education, health care, and human rights. She is honorary ambassador for the Decade of Literacy of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), serving as an international spokesperson for efforts to educate people throughout the world, especially women and girls.
As the leader of President Bush’s Helping America’s Youth initiative, Mrs. Bush works to draw attention to programs that help children avoid risky behaviors like drug and alcohol use, early sexual activity, and violence. She also has emphasized the need of every child to have a caring adult role model in his or her life.
One of Mrs. Bush’s first priorities in the White House was to convene the Summit on Early Childhood Cognitive Development, at which prominent scholars and educators shared research on the best ways for parents and caregivers to prepare children for lifelong learning. She also works with teacher recruitment programs like Teach For America, The New Teacher Project, and Troops to Teachers and supports education campaigns for breast cancer and heart disease.
Mrs. Bush was born Nov. 4, 1946, in Midland, Texas, and earned a bachelor of science in education from Southern Methodist University in 1968. She taught in public schools in Dallas and Houston. In 1973, she earned a master of library science degree from the University of Texas and worked as a public school librarian. In 1977, she met and married George Walker Bush.
Senior Class Day is open to all graduating students and their families, who must obtain tickets from the Sarratt Center Ticketmaster. A limited number of tickets will be available to Vanderbilt faculty and staff. The entire Senior Class Day and Commencement programs will be webcast at www.vanderbilt.edu/commencement.
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Contact: Michael Schoenfeld, (615) 322-NEWS
michael.schoenfeld@vanderbilt.edu