Graduation speakers named

Spring commencement details are being finalized for the six colleges in Luzerne County. A comic actress, the namesake of a presidential retreat, a former governor and the Secretary of the Commonwealth are among those who will give commencement speeches.

Here’s a look at the graduation ceremony details for King’s, Wilkes, Misericordia, Luzerne County Community, and Penn State campuses in Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton.

King’s College

The school will hold graduation ceremonies on May 18, at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township. Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Pedro A. Cort�s will address the class of 2008.

Cort�s, who was unanimously confirmed by the state Senate in 2003, became the first confirmed Latino cabinet member in Pennsylvania history and the highest-ranking native of Puerto Rico to be named to a statewide position in the United States. Cort�s was named among the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States by Hispanic Business Magazine.

Cort�s will be conferred an honorary doctorate from King’s College. Sister Lucille Marie Brislin, R.S.M., director of Mercy Services; and Susan Shoval, founder, president and chief operating officer of GUARD Insurance Group, also will be conferred honorary degrees.

Luzerne County Community College

The Nanticoke school will hold its 40th annual commencement at 6 p.m. May 22, at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza.

Wallace, an Emmy award-winning actress for her voiceover work on “The Simpsons,” is best known for her role as secretary Carol Kesler on “The Bob Newhart Show.”

A 13-year survivor of breast cancer, Wallace is the national spokeswoman for the fight against the disease. College spokeswoman Lisa Nelson said Wallace’s invitation to speak was offered “because we felt her message would be inspirational for the graduates, as well as everyone in attendance.”

Wallace will discuss the importance of humor and laughter when facing life’s challenges.

Wilkes University

Former N.J. Gov. Thomas H. Kean will deliver the keynote address at the 61st annual spring commencement on May 17. The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza.

Kean, who served as chairman of the 9/11 Commission, is a friend and former colleague of Wilkes University board member and former chairman William Tremayne.

University spokeswoman Christine Tondrick said the school has been “pursuing him for many years” and this year the scheduling worked out. She called Kean one of the most respected governors in recent history and said his involvement and knowledge of the 9/11 Commission has made him an even more sought-after speaker.

He has an extensive resume including current involvement as the chairman of the Carnegie Corp. of New York, and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. From 1990 to 2005, he served as president of Drew University, in Madison, N.J.

Misericordia University

David Eisenhower, grandson of the 34th president of the United States and namesake of the presidential retreat Camp David, will be the guest speaker when Misericordia University holds its 82nd annual commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. May 17. The ceremony will take place in the Anderson Sports and Health Center on the Dallas Township campus. A baccalaureate Mass will precede the ceremony at 10:30 a.m.

During the commencement ceremony, Misericordia will present Eisenhower and his wife, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, daughter of President Richard M. Nixon and first lady Pat Nixon, with honorary doctor of humane letters degrees.

The institution will also bestow the Catherine McAuley Medal to Dr. John P. Martin in recognition of his service to the university and the values to which it aspires. Martin is the founder of West Side Catholic High, the former Bishop O’Reilly High School, and served as a faculty member and chaplain at Misericordia.

Eisenhower is the author of a two-volume work on the Allied leadership in the pursuit phase of World War II titled, “Eisenhower: At War,” which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in history in 1986. He is a historian and director of the Institute for Public Service at the Annenberg Public Policy Center.University President Michael A. MacDowell said that with the upcoming presidential election a topic of interest to many Americans including college students, he couldn’t think of a more relevant person to speak to students.

“To learn from somebody who has the perspective of looking at the presidency historically, I think it will be exciting for the graduates and their families,” he said.

Penn State University - Hazleton

Commencement ceremonies will be held at 7 p.m. May 16, in the Sugarloaf Township campus’ Physical Education Building. A reception will follow in the Graham Lobby. No commencement speaker has been announced.

Penn State University – Wilkes-Barre

Graduation will be held in the gymnasium of the Athletics and Recreation Building on the school’s Lehman Township campus on May 17. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m., and no commencement speaker has been announced.