Award-winning journalist and Toledo native Christine Brennan will give the commencement address at the University of Toledo’s spring graduation ceremony.
Lourdes University also announced today that Clyde Scoles, director of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, will give its commencement speech.
Ms. Brennan is a national columnist at USA Today and a commentator for ABC News, CNN, PBS NewsHour, and NPR. She was the first female sports reporter for the Miami Herald and the first woman to cover the Washington Redskins as a staff writer for the Washington Post. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
“We’re proud to welcome a true trailblazer for women back as our commencement speaker,” UT President Sharon Gaber said in a statement. “When Christine entered the world of sports reporting, female journalists weren’t even allowed in men’s locker rooms. Now, 35 years later, she is one of the most respected journalists in sports reporting.”
The ceremony is open to the public and can will be available to view at video.utoledo.edu. Commencement is 10 a.m. May 7 in the Glass Bowl.
Ms. Brennan previously addressed graduates at UT’s fall commencement in December, 2008.
Mr. Scoles, who will speak at the May 13 Lourdes graduation, has been the director of the library system since 1985.
He will speak at the 59th commencement of the Sylvania university and receive an honorary doctoral degree.
The event, which is open to the public, will take place at 1 p.m. May 13 at the SeaGate Convention Center, 401 Jefferson Ave.
Also receiving an honorary doctoral degree from Lourdes is Ann Meier, who will accept the recognition in honor of her late husband, John F. Meier, who was the chief executive officer of Libbey Inc.
First Published April 10, 2017, 2:23 p.m.
