Zakaria to speak at May commencement

International journalist Fareed Zakaria will return to Duke to address the Class of 2012 this Spring.

Fareed Zakaria, a CNN anchor, editor-at-large at Time magazine and columnist at The Washington Post, will deliver Duke’s commencement address May 13, President Richard Brodhead announced to a group of students Friday.

Although he earned an undergraduate degree from Yale University and a doctorate from Harvard University, Zakaria is not a stranger to Duke. He delivered the Ambassador S. Davis Phillips Lecture in Page Auditorium in 2009. Senior Daniel Bingyou, a member of the commencement speaker student advisory group, said he is very pleased with the speaker choice.

“Dr. Zakaria is a renowned foreign policy adviser, an accomplished journalist and a gifted speaker,” Bingyou wrote in an email Sunday. “His global influence and forward-thinking intellect will translate effectively to the commencement address and should provide ample inspiration for the graduating seniors as we prepare to take the next step in life.”

Zakaria hosts “Fareed Zakaria GPS,” an international and domestic affairs program viewed worldwide on CNN and is a former columnist for Newsweek. He has also served as managing editor of Foreign Affairs magazine, an analyst for ABC News and editor of Newsweek International.

Beginning in March, the student advisory committee assisted Brodhead in selecting and evaluating potential commencement speakers for the Class of 2012, senior and committee member Arthur Leopold wrote in an email Sunday. The committee narrowed down a list of more than 100 potential speakers to find the best group. Brodhead made the ultimate decision to invite Zakaria.

“Our criteria consisted of objective credentials, breadth of appeal and logistical availability.” Bingyou said.

The list of finalists included two notable women—U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor and comedian and writer Tina Fey, Leopold said, noting that the advisory group was looking for a vibrant voice that could inspire students. Former President Bill Clinton and former football coach Tony Dungy were also strongly considered.

Senior Christina Lieu, also a member of the advisory group, said Zakaria’s remarks at Harvard will not detract from his speech to be delivered here at Duke, given that his insights will be unique.

Zakaria is the author of several books, including “The Post-American World” and “The Future of Freedom,” which has been translated into about 30 languages.

Zakaria, who was born in India, has interviewed many of the world’s most influential leaders, including President Barack Obama, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, British Prime Minister David Cameron and the Dalai Lama.

Brodhead said he hopes that Zakaria’s message will inspire students to live up to the challenges that the world outside Duke will present.

“Don’t try to live in a bubble after you graduate. In a world as connected as ours, there really aren’t any shelters,” Brodhead said. “Besides, if college prepares you for anything, it’s to face up to challenges and shape them in creative ways.”

Sophomore Steve Pierre-Jean, who heard Zakaria speak at his high school graduation from the Dalton School in 2010, said that in his remarks, Zakaria noted the particular significance of this young American generation.

“Fareed gave a great speech at my high school graduation, touching on the fact that our generation is significant in solving a lot of the problems in our world and that it’s our responsibility to be contributing members of society,” Pierre-Jean wrote in an email Sunday.

Correction: In a previous version of this article, it was reported that Fareed Zakaria received a master's degree from Harvard. Zakaria in fact received a doctorate from Harvard. The Chronicle regrets the error.