Author to address winter graduates

By Rachel Green

Daily Staff Reporter

Elmore Leonard, acclaimed author of 36 novels, including "Out of Sight" and "Get Shorty," has been selected as winter commencement speaker.

The ceremony, held in Crisler Arena, is scheduled for Dec. 17.

"I'm looking forward to the commencement and the address," Elmore said. "I'm not quite sure what angle I'll take. Will I be inspiring? I don't know yet."

Leonard said he hopes to include memories from his commencement ceremony 50 years ago at the University of Detroit.

In addition to making him commencement speaker, the University will bestow an honorary doctor of arts degree on Leonard.

This is his third honorary degree from a major university, his first two awarded by the University of Detroit and Florida Atlantic University.

Born in New Orleans in 1925, Leonard and his family moved to Detroit in 1934.

In 1943 he enlisted in the Navy, serving in World War II, before returning to Detroit to further his education. After graduating from the University of Detroit in 1950 with a joint degree in English and Philosophy, Leonard went to work for Campbell-Ewald Advertising before investing himself in his writing.

Leonard has mostly written westerns and thrillers.

In 1992 Mystery Writers gave Leonard the Grand Master Award, and three of his books have been nominated for the Edgar Allen Poe award.

University spokesman Gary Krenz said he admires the work of Leonard and supports the selection of Leonard as speaker.

"We wanted someone who's a good public speaker, but beyond that, this person has to have the potential to say something meaningful and memorable to the graduating students," Krenz said. "Elmore Leonard seems to fit that bill."

Two others will receive honorary degrees from the University. Lin Ju Ying, honorary president of the Chinese Nurses Association, will be awarded with an honorary doctor of science degree from the Nursing School, and John Tishman, CEO of Tishman Reality in New York, will receive a doctor of engineering degree.

Tishman, a graduate from the Engineering School in 1946, has overseen construction of several renowned buildings in the United States, including the World Trade Center in New York, the Renaissance Theater in Detroit and the Disney's Epcot Center in Orlando.

Dean of Engineering, Steve Director said he is delighted with the honorary degree committee's selection of Tishman for this honor.

"John Tishman has just made tremendous contributions that have impacted the lives of many many people," Director said.

"He's a pioneer in the advance of modern technology."

Degree recipients are chosen by the University Board of Regents based on administrative recommendations.

Leonard currently lives in suburb of Detroit with his wife.

His most recent novel, "Pagan Babies," about genocide in Rwanda, was published last September and spent four weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Alok Agrawal, a graduating Engineering senior, said he is pleased that the University has chosen such a prominent speaker for commencement.

"I'm glad that the University finally chose such a notable speaker," he said. "It's my graduation. It's somewhat of a big deal."

Leonard