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April 7, 2000
RELEASE ON RECEIPT
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE-WINNER OSCAR ARIAS IS OBERLIN COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Oscar Arias Sánchez
OBERLIN, OHIO -- Oscar Arias Sánchez, former president of Costa Rica and winner of the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize, will deliver this year's commencement address at Oberlin College. Arias will be presented for an honorary doctor of laws degree by Associate Professor of History Steven Volk, who, in nominating him, wrote: "I can think of few individuals who better deserve this distinction or who could better exemplify Oberlin's historic concern for community and social justice. . . Arias is a tireless worker for world peace."
Arias founded the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress, a non-profit organization whose mission is to build just and peaceful societies in Central America.
The Oberlin ceremony on Monday, May 29, at 9:30 a.m. on Tappan Square, marks the 167th commencement at the liberal arts college--the first in the United States to admit students regardless of their race or gender--and more than 600 students are expected to receive degrees.
In addition to Arias, others receiving honorary degrees are:
• Louis Lane, musician and conductor, who will receive an honorary doctor of music degree;
• Bruce Sherman McEwen ’59, neuroscientist and professor at The Rockefeller University, who will receive an honorary doctor of science degree;
• Eleanor Gould Packard, ’38, associate editor of The New Yorker, who will receive an honorary doctor of humanities degree;
• and Washington, D.C. attorney and Oberlin College trustee William R. Perlik ’48, who served as chair of Oberlin's board from 1993 to 1999. He will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.
Oberlin will also confer two special awards. Dr. Roy Church, president of Lorain County Community College, will receive Oberlin's annual award for distinguished service to the community. He is being recognized for his efforts to increase access to higher education.
Danforth Professor of History Geoffrey Blodgett ’53 will receive the College's Alumni Medal, which is awarded in recognition of outstanding and sustained service to Oberlin College and its extended community.
Some 5,000 visitors will converge on Oberlin during its commencement and reunion weekend of May 26-29, which will feature various events and activities, many free and open to the public.
Other commencement highlights include a Baccalaureate address by activist, author and pastor Jim Wallis in Finney Chapel at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 28. Finney Chapel is located at the corner of Professor and Lorain streets.
The colorful and festive Campus Illumination and gala band concert will begin that evening at 9 p.m. on Tappan Square.
A complete schedule of other weekend activities–including symposia, campus tours, concerts, recitals, theatrical performances and tours of Oberlin perennial gardens and historic homes–can be obtained by calling the Office of the Oberlin Alumni Association at 440/775-8692.
Media Contact: Marci
Janas
4/7/00 #72 mj
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