Bill Cosby to speak at Rice University commencement

CONTACT: Margot Dimond
PHONE:
(713) 348-6775
EMAIL: mdimond@rice.edu

BILL COSBY TO SPEAK
AT RICE UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT

Actor/comedian Bill
Cosby will deliver the address to graduating students at the Class of 2002
Commencement at Rice University on Saturday, May 11.

Commencement ceremonies
will start at 8:30 a.m. in the Academic Quadrangle. In case of inclement weather
graduation ceremonies will be held at Autry Court in the Rice gym.

The Class of 2002 will
be the 89th graduating class in Rice’s history.

In addition to the
awarding of degrees, commencement weekend festivities will include the Class of
2002 Convocation, the Shepherd School of Music Presidential Concert and a
presidential reception for students, guests, faculty, staff and administration.
All of these events will be held Friday, May 10, in Alice Pratt Brown Hall
starting at 7:45 p.m. and will be followed by a fireworks show in the stadium
parking lot starting at 10:15 p.m.

The Student Art
Exhibition in the Rice University Art Gallery in Sewall Hall will be on display
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, May 10, and from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, May
11.

William H. Cosby, Jr.
was born to William and Anna Cosby on July 12, 1937 in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Calling himself a “late bloomer,” he says he did not realize the
value of a formal education until after the first four days of boot camp in the
U.S. Navy.

“Four years later in
May, when I got out of the Navy, I hit the ground running from Norfolk,
Virginia, and immediately enrolled at Temple University in
Philadelphia.”

Cosby is well known for
his commitment to education. He went back to college long after he had achieved
much of his success to obtain a master’s degree as well as an Ed.D. He has, in
fact, applied this further education in his professional life.

He says he has never
stopped realizing the importance of challenging himself. “People always say ‘You
don’t need money, why are you still working?’ My answer is that it isn’t about
money. That’s academic. It’s about accepting the challenges of one’s own ideas,
clarifying the unanswered questions and pursuing the excitement of
discovery.

“It is always a pleasure
to see those fresh faces of the new graduates. It’s also fun to notice the
relieved smiles of the parents who are wondering, ‘Are they going to be all
right?’ The unanswered questions are now really directed at them.”

Cosby’s wife, Camille,
is equally passionate about the importance of education, and she too has
attained an Ed.D. Together, they have strived to promote the importance of a
good education. They have donated funds to a wide range of universities and
delivered commencement addresses to further emphasize the importance of
learning.

As part of the ceremony,
Cosby will be presented with the first Rice University Award for Distinguished
Service to Education—an award created in his honor which, in years to come, will
be presented to others who have made similar contributions.

Editors Note:
Please notify Margot Dimond at (713) 348-6775 in the Office of News and Media
Relations of your plans to attend by May 10. Guidelines for commencement
coverage and parking passes are available through this
office.