Ohio University announced yesterday that Athens native Atul Gawande will give the 2011 undergraduate commencement speech.
Gawande, a Harvard Medical School graduate, will give the address during two commencement ceremonies on June 11 at The Convo, according to a news release.
“It was completely flattering,” Gawande said. “There was nothing more gratifying than being asked to come home and give commencement at Ohio University.”
Gawande has given lectures at OU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and The Charles J. Ping Institute for the Teaching of the Humanities. He is a medicine and science writer for The New Yorker and was a senior advisor on health policy to President Bill Clinton.
He also works as a medical staff member at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and as an associate professor at Harvard University, according to the release.
Although he has a few topics in mind, Gawande said he is not sure what his message to the graduates will be.
Gawande is a The New York Times bestselling author of three books, the most recent being The Checklist Manifesto, published in 2009.
His previous two books are about his experiences as a surgeon. Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science, his first book, was a finalist for a National Book Award in 2002.
Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi said he is excited that Gawande has a “diverse portfolio” of experience in the fields of medicine, education and politics, among others.
“He has the potential to resonate with people on multiple fronts,” Lombardi said.
Gawande will be the third non-OU graduate to give the undergraduate commencement address since 2004.
A committee made up of faculty, students and administrators recommended Gawande for an honorary degree and for consideration as a commencement speaker, said Becky Watts, chief of staff to President Roderick McDavis. McDavis approved the recommendation and asked Gawande to give the address.
Commencement speakers do not receive compensation, Watts said.
The two June 11 ceremonies will take place at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The deadline to register for graduation is April 19.
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