Screenwriter to speak at baccalaureate

Alumnus John Rappaport, a award-winning screenwriter, will speak at this year's baccalaureate ceremony. \nBaccalaureate, a non-denominational ceremony, will be held 5 p.m. Friday in the IU Auditorium. An organ prelude to the ceremony will begin at 4:45 p.m. The ceremony will last about one hour.\nEach year, a graduating student and his or her parent are invited to speak at the ceremony. Rappaport is the father of senior Jamie Rappaport, who will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in sports marketing.\nA native of Highland Park, Ill., Rappaport graduated from IU with degrees in radio/television and psychology. He moved to Los Angeles after stints as a disc jockey and TV host in the Chicago and Indianapolis areas. \nRappaport started in television as a member of the writing staff of "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In." He wrote a number of comedy specials, including the first "Lily Tomlin Special," which brought him one of eight Emmy nominations.\nHe spent four years as supervising producer and head writer for the television series "M*A*S*H," whose final program was the most-watched television show in history.\nRappaport is currently developing three films as the producer and writer. During his career, he has been awarded three Humanitas Prizes, four People's Choice awards, a Golden Globe award and eight Emmy and five Writers Guild Award nominations.\n Also attending baccalaureate will be IU President Myles Brand, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Moya Andrews, Interim music school Dean Gwyn Richards, outgoing Student Alumni Association President Maureen Keller, a senior and IDS staffer, and members of Straight No Chaser.