Public policy student named commencement speaker

Commonalities.

Although that will be the theme of this year's student speech at commencement, this year's speaker is anything but common.

Timothy Saintsing, who will receive a master's degree in public policy this year, will serve as the first graduate student to deliver the speech in some time, and just one in a handful over the last two decades.

"What he's got to say speaks to the general experience of undergraduate and graduate students at the University," said University Marshal Richard White, a member of the committee that selected Saintsing. "He had a good and somewhat wry sense of humor. The combination of talking of the experiences of the... graduating class as well as doing it at a fairly light level did commend him as a good candidate."

Saintsing said he hopes to convey the many facets of Duke in his speech and at the same time, the similar threads.

"[Duke graduates take from their experience] an obligation and duty to expect more from the status quo," he said. "We'll go about doing that in very different ways... but nonetheless we're going to go about doing that, and I think that's a neat thing that's instilled in everyone here."

Saintsing was chosen from among 25 applicants by a committee consisting of undergraduates, faculty and administrators. Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Sue Wasiolek, one member, said the group narrowed the 25 down to five semifinalists and then two finalists. President Nan Keohane gave approval of the final selection last week.

"We had several top-notch speeches, and I think Tim was chosen because of his broad appeal," Wasiolek said. "I think all students and their families will enjoy his speech."