Former first lady to speak

Indiana's former first lady Judy O'Bannon has long been known as an advocate of volunteerism and community values. \nBut her poise in handling the stroke of then-Gov. Frank O'Bannon last September earned her new respect. She was the bedrock of a state thrown into crisis. \n"People were touched by how concerned she was for the continuation of state government at the same time she was experiencing severe personal tragedy," said Perry Metz, director of IU's radio and television services. \nO'Bannon will give the annual commencement address twice -- at ceremonies starting at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.\nMore than 7,000 degrees will be awarded at Assembly Hall, with Judy O'Bannon receiving an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters.\nAn IU alumna, she met Frank O'Bannon here on campus and married him in 1957.\nFrank served as a state senator from Corydon in the 1970s, and the two were among the most admired couples in state government. \n"A lot of politics can be confrontational and divisive," Metz said. "They were known for bringing people together."\nMetz served on the 11-member committee that recommended the former first lady for this year's commencement.\nChair Ken Beckley said the committee suggested O'Bannon in December 2003. IU President Adam Herbert made the final selection.\n"It was a timing matter," Beckley said. "Gov. O'Bannon died in the fall, and we felt this would be the year for her."\nRichard Lugar spoke at last year's graduation, and in 2000 John Mellencamp gave the address.\nJudy O'Bannon's list of community involvement is long. She has served as a trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Secretary of the Executive Board of the Board of Directors of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and on the Indiana Main Street Council. She has been a member of the Indiana Arts Commission, the Board of Directors of the Indiana State Museum and a founding member of the Advisory Board of Silvercrest Children's Development Center. \nShe also co-founded Partners in Politics, a support and information group for family members of public officeholders, according to the governor's Web site.\nWhile first lady, she led a "Reading Day at the Residence," inviting close to 1,000 children to the Governor's mansion to read together.\nShe has three children and five grandchildren.\n-- Contact staff writer Adam VanOsdol at avanosdo@indiana.edu.