Mary Sue Coleman to give California Institute of Technology commencement speech
University of Michigan leader Mary Sue Coleman is slated to give a commencement speech at California Institute of Technology.
File photo | AnnArbor.com
University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman will give California Institute of Technology’s commencement speech on Friday, June 14.
CalTech is primarily a science and engineering research college so the selection of Coleman as commencement speaker is fitting, given she's a trained biochemist and has been heavily focused on entrepreneurship during her 11-year tenure at U-M. Coleman is co-chair of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Coleman, who will retire as leader of U-M in a year, has also given commencement speeches at Grand Valley State University, the University of Toledo, Eastern Kentucky University and Notre Dame's graduate school.
CalTech was ranked the 10th-best national university in U.S. News and World Report's most recent rankings. This is the school's 119th commencement. The school is much smaller than U-M, with an undergraduate student body that numbers less than 1,000.
The speech will be streamed live online.
CalTech is awarding 261 undergraduate degrees, 95 master degrees and 236 doctorates on Friday.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
An Arborigine
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:25 a.m.
The new job tour begins.
blue85
Fri, Jun 14, 2013 : 11:50 p.m.
"The new job tour begins." Why your post makes no sense: 1) Coleman has been given merit raises every year (though she has donated them back to UM), along with regental accolades/commendations; 2) Coleman has been ranked in the top 10 Presidents in the country; 3) she had the opportunity to extend her contract but declined; 4) she and her husband have bought a house in Ann Arbor; 5) at the age of 69 she has more good years left, but probably want's to downshift.
Robert E.
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:19 a.m.
Show some respect people...it appears there isnt a single dignitary in Ann Arbor that doesnt attract some infantile venom...President Coleman is by far one of the best college presidents in the country...the fact that she was invited to be the commencement speaker illustrates as much!
blue85
Fri, Jun 14, 2013 : 11:53 p.m.
"infantile venom" is far too laudatory for what passes for commentation on this board. It seem that there is a coterie of UM haters out there who find it necessary to chime in on every topic related to UM, no matter how nugatory the content or how vacuous their "logic". Some people just can't deal with the success of others. By any measure (reputational rank, citation strength, research funding, entering and graduating students, graduate success...) UM is an enormously successful institution. It seems that some folks that are not a part of that success can't handle the resulting jealousy.
Russell G
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 7:06 a.m.
Her 'actions' have proven to be held without reproach. The same can not be said for your character Yohan. Being the President of any University would be a 'pompous' title within your definition = dumb.
Robert E.
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 6:48 a.m.
So whats your point? Are you saying that as President of one of the country's most prestigious universitys that she has acomplished nothing? Shes one of the best UofM has ever had...get real...
yohan
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 3:01 a.m.
True respect has to been earned by one's actions, not just because one has a pompous title.
trespass
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:04 a.m.
Perhaps she can give them tips on how to cover up child pornography. How to conduct a bogus internal investigation. How to claim attorney client privilege to hide the report of the external investigation. How to avoid firing anyone who was responsible. It seems that these skills are in great demand for people in high positions in corporations and academia.
blue85
Fri, Jun 14, 2013 : 11:55 p.m.
Coleman is/has-been responsible for thousands of decisions during her tenure. Most of them have probably worked out pretty well given the institutions success. The pornography investigation was a pretty shameful event, but hardly indicative of the rest of her efforts or of the strengths and benefits the institution confers on the area. Posting childish drivel doesn't speak to the good that come out of the U, and trivialize something which should not be trivialized.
Tom
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 10:23 p.m.
I assume the good President is paying for this on her own dime as it has no direct benefits to the University or the State.
Arborcomment
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 10:58 p.m.
Interesting question. Probably a much needed conference or something out there within 100 miles or so that will fit the bill. Perhaps another "Regents-paloozza" tour?
Dog Guy
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 8:26 p.m.
Does this honor include a five-figure honorarium?
Stewart G. Griffin
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 4:52 p.m.
Kind of makes me glad I'm not graduating from the California Institute of Technology right about now. ZZZZzzzzzzz.......ZZZZZZzzzzzzz.........ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz!
Russell G
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 7:12 a.m.
Evidently her speeches have been entertaining to enlightening enough to have been requested to do so on numerous occasions.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 5:29 p.m.
So UpperDeck, are you suggesting commencement speeches shouldn't be entertaining?
UpperDecker
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 4:54 p.m.
Go root for ohio state if you want a president that is up there to entertain/make a fool.
justcurious
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 4:20 p.m.
Strange.