LEWISTON, Idaho – Political analyst, co-host of "The Five," and best-selling author Juan Williams will deliver the commencement address at Lewis-Clark State College’s graduation ceremony on May 12 at the LCSC Activity Center.
A nationally-known political analyst and journalist, Williams is one of the nation's leading political writers and thinkers. He has made his career a model of "meeting in the middle" by working as a reporter for NPR and The Washington Post (for 23 years) and as a political analyst for Fox News. He offered Lewis-Clark State College’s commencement address in 1994 and now returns to share his unique perspective with the class of 2017.
“We are honored to have Mr. Williams return to our campus after so many years and we look forward to renewing our relationship with him,” LCSC President J. Anthony Fernandez said.
LCSC has seen record numbers of graduates the past two years, including an unprecedented total of 795 last year, and early estimates suggest that another all-time high could be set this May. The current graduate count is nearing 800 and the expected number of degrees to be awarded is 916, which would also be a record.
The commencement ceremony will begin at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 4 p.m. Seating is open and tickets are not required for admission. For event details and access to the live video stream visit: www.lcsc.edu/graduation.
Along with Williams, other special guests will include President’s Medallion recipient Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, president and chairman of the board of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories; and Emma Atchley, president of the Idaho State Board of Education.
Prior to the commencement ceremony, Williams will hold a book signing with copies of his newest books including “Muzzled: The Assault on Honest Debate” from 1-2 p.m. in the Williams Conference Center lobby. Additionally, he will be available for questions from the media at a press conference from 2-3 p.m. in the Student Union Building lounge.
About Juan Williams:
Williams has been an editorial writer, op-ed columnist, White House correspondent, and a national correspondent for the Post. He continues to write for several newspapers, including the Post, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. He also has been published in magazines such as the Atlantic Monthly and Time. With three decades of experience reporting from Washington, Williams is considered one of the nation's most reputable political analysts. He has interviewed numerous Washington power players and elected officials (including Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan) giving him a unique vantage point on America's constantly evolving political climate.
Williams is perhaps best known for his work with the Fox News Channel. He has been a contributor since 1997, serving as a political analyst. He is co-host of “The Five” and has appeared on “Special Report with Bret Baier” and “Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace.” He also appeared regularly on “The O’Reilly Factor” where he also served as a guest host in Bill O’Reilly’s absence. In 2000, Williams joined National Public Radio as a senior news analyst. He also had a daily afternoon talk show “Talk of the Nation” and then later served as senior national correspondent.
He is the author of “Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965,” which he wrote in 1987. The book was made into a documentary series of the same name about the Civil Rights Movement. He also wrote a biography on Thurgood Marshall, the first black American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. The book, called “Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary,” was published in 2000. His other book was “Enough,” published in 2006, which deals with his critique of black leaders in America, and as he puts it, the “culture of failure.” Williams has received an Emmy Award and critical praise for his television documentary work, and has won several awards for investigative journalism and his opinion columns.
Born in 1954 in Colon, Panama, Williams graduated from Oakwood Friends School in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in 1972. He attended Haverford College in Pennsylvania and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1976.