'Chicago Tribune' Columnist Clarence Page to Deliver Commencement Address

Contact: Jennifer Kirksey Smith, (740) 597-1796 or smithj12@ohio.edu

Editors: A photo of Page can be downloaded from the Web at www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/PAGE.JPG

ATHENS, Ohio (May 10, 2001) -- Clarence Page, a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the Chicago Tribune and an Ohio University graduate, will deliver the university's keynote address at the June 9 undergraduate commencement ceremonies.

"We are very excited that Clarence will return to his alma mater to speak at both of our undergraduate ceremonies this year," said Ohio University President Robert Glidden. "His outstanding work has distinguished him in his profession and I believe he will deliver interesting comments to those in attendance."

Page, who received a bachelor of science degree in journalism from Ohio University in 1969, writes a nationally syndicated column covering topics such as politics, race relations, societal trends, educational opportunities and values issues. In 1989, his column won the industry's highest honor, a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary.

In 1972, Page was a member of the Pulitzer Prize winning Chicago Tribune Task Force series on vote fraud. Four years later, he won the Edward Scott Beck Award for overseas reporting on the changing politics of Southern Africa. He authored a 1980 series, "The Black Tax," that won an Illinois UPI award for community service.

He first joined the Tribune in 1969 as a reporter and assistant city editor. After 11 years with the newspaper, Page moved to the broadcast news industry as the director of the Community Affairs Department for WBBM-TV, a Chicago CBS affiliate. In 1984, he rejoined the Tribune as a columnist and member of the editorial board.

When he delivered the 1993 commencement address, Page received an honorary doctorate from Ohio University. In 1991, he received the L.J. Horton Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Alumni from the university's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. Page is also a member of the Ohio University Foundation Board.

Claudia Hale, associate professor of interpersonal communication will address the graduate commencement at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 8. The College of Osteopathic Medicine will present Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees June 2. Former Ohio University President Charles Ping will address the new doctors.