Administration

Communications

C-SC to present honorary degree to Harold Holzer
Wednesday, May 18, 2011

CANTON, Mo. – Culver-Stockton College will award an honorary degree to Harold Holzer, noted writer, lecturer, frequent guest on television and one of the country’s leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln during the 155th Commencement Ceremony to be held Saturday, May 21.

Holzer, who will also deliver the commencement address, will be the recipient of the Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the preservation and reverence of the history of the United States.

Holzer began his career as a weekly newspaper editor for The Manhattan Tribune, a political campaign press secretary for Congresswoman Bella S. Abzug and Governor Mario Cuomo, a government speechwriter for New York City Mayor Abraham D. Beame, and as public affairs director for the PBS flagship station WNET. From 1984 to 1992, he served as special counselor to the director of economic development and executive vice president of The New York State Urban Development Corporation in the administration of Governor Mario M. Cuomo. Holzer currently serves as senior vice president for external affairs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

In 2000, he was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve on the United States Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. He served as co-chair of the commission from 2001-2010. For his work with the commission, Holzer was honored by President George W. Bush with the National Humanities Medal in 2008. The United States Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission is now known as the Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation, and Holzer currently serves as chairman of that organization. Throughout his career, Holzer has authored, co-authored or edited 36 books. In addition, he has written some 450 articles for magazines and scholarly journals. Holzer is also a frequent guest on televisions programs, including C-SPAN’s The Washington Journal, Lincoln presented by the History Channel and The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, among others.

“We are extremely excited and proud to have such a prolific author and lecturer as our keynote speaker for the 2011 Commencement Ceremony,” said Culver-Stockton President Richard Valentine. “Mr. Holzer will, no doubt, offer our young graduates an engaging and inspiring perspective on the past, as well as the future; as they prepare to end their college careers and enter the world of working professionals. I would also like to express my gratitude to Culver-Stockton board of trustees member and former Quincy, [Illinois] Mayor Chuck Scholz, who was instrumental in coordinating Mr. Holzer’s visit to our fine, old college,” Valentine continued.

The Culver-Stockton College Commencement Ceremony will take place in Charles Field House. Seating will begin at 7:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are not required for commencement. Additional information about the commencement ceremonies for graduates and guests is available at www.culver.edu/commencement, or by contacting the Registrar’s Office at (573) 288-6330 or registrar@culver.edu. Additional information about keynote speaker Harold Holzer can be found at www.haroldholzer.com.