UPDATE: 6:45 p.m. Tavis Smiley chosen as ‘07 graduation speaker

After almost a year of deliberation and negotiation, IU President Adam Herbert announced IU Alumnus and media personality Tavis Smiley will present the commencement address during graduation ceremonies on May 5.\nSmiley is a TV and radio talk show host and is the star of “The Tavis Smiley Show” on Public Radio International.\nA native of Kokomo, Smiley’s tale of coming to IU is somewhat of a legend 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 according to an IU Media Relations press 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 went on to become a commentator on television 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 African-American youth.\nSmiley has also authored or edited 11 books, including his most recent, “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\nAmerica.”\nIU Alumni Association President Tom Martz, who took office April 1, said that while he has not personally met Smiley, he looks forward to meeting him 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.”\nWhile IUAA is responsible for organizing commencement, Martz said it was former president Ken Beckley who was co-chairman of the commencement committee, and played a role in deciding Smiley’s appearance.\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.”