Tavis Smiley to be commencement speaker

After almost a year of deliberation and negotiation, IU President Adam Herbert announced Thursday that IU alumnus and media personality Tavis Smiley will present the commencement address during graduation ceremonies May 5.\nSmiley is a TV and radio talk-show host. He hosts “The Tavis Smiley Show” on Public Radio International and “Tavis Smiley” on PBS.\nA native of Kokomo, Smiley’s tale of coming to IU is somewhat legendary on campus. The oldest of 10 children, he overcame financial struggle to pursue an education. Supported through a debate scholarship, Smiley began his remarkable career at IU-Bloomington.\n“Tavis Smiley is one of our own,” Herbert said in an IU Media Relations news release. “He ... came to IU with limited resources but a strong passion for learning.”\nAfter leaving IU in 1986, Smiley became an aide to former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, then become a commentator on TV and radio. He eventually returned to IU and received his bachelor’s degree from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs in 2003. In 1999, he founded the Tavis Smiley Foundation, an organization to encourage, empower and enlighten black youths.\nSmiley has authored or edited 11 books, including “What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America” and “Keeping the Faith: Stories of Love, Courage, Healing, and Hope from Black America.”\nIU Alumni Association President Tom Martz, who took office April 1, said he looks forward to meeting Smiley at commencement. \n“He’s just a very informed individual who discusses some important issues in American society,” Martz said. “He’s also very entertaining.”\nThe alumni association is responsible for organizing commencement, and, Martz said, it was former President Ken Beckley, who was co-chairman of the commencement committee, who played a role in bringing Smiley to campus.\n“Oftentimes, there are several candidates who are all very inspirational individuals,” Martz said. “I think the committee just believed that Tavis was the best candidate for commencement.”