Vol. 17, No. 23	March 13, 1998

Pulitzer Prize-winner is Commencement speaker

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist William J. Raspberry, urban affairs columnist for The Washington Post, will deliver the Commencement address at the University of Delaware on Saturday, May 30, before members of the graduating Class of 1998 and their families and friends.

"William Raspberry is well known for his keen observation of human relations," Robert R. Davis, alumni and University relations, said, in making the announcement. Raspberry's name was among those frequently mentioned by students in a poll of potential Commencement speakers conducted last fall by his office, Davis said.

"As urban affairs columnist for the Post and some 180 newspapers across the country, he has reached millions of Americans with his commentaries on matters of critical importance," Davis said. "I think he will have valuable insights to share with our graduates and their families and friends at Commencement."

The free public ceremony, which is held outdoors rain or shine, will begin at 9 a.m. in Delaware Stadium, located on South College Avenue in Newark.

Once called the "Lone Ranger of Columnists" by a colleague, Raspberry is known for his independence of mind and his enlightened commentary on social and political issues.

He began his career in journalism with the Indianapolis Reporter, where he worked for four years before joining the U.S. Army. After his Army career, he went to work at The Washington Post in 1962 as a teletype operator.

He soon was promoted to reporter and began his own column on the Metro page in 1966. The popular column was moved to the editorial section and subsequently syndicated by The Washington Post Writers Group.

In 1994, he won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary for his writing on crime, AIDS, the Nation of Islam and violent rap lyrics. He also has received numerous other journalism awards and more than a dozen honorary degrees.

Raspberry is also the author of one book, Looking Backward at Us, which was published in 1991.

A history graduate of Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis), he is the son of Mississippi school teachers.