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ONLINE UPDATE: White House says Cheney will speak to U, students asked to arrive early

May 1, 2002

The speculation is over. Vice President Dick Cheney will speak at commencement Friday, the White House announced today.

Rumors have been swirling since early last month, when MSU officials and the White House confirmed Cheney had been invited to speak at graduation.

That speculation intensified when university officials told The State News on April 16 that it would be the White House announcing MSU’s graduation speaker.

The vice president’s office waited until today to make the trip official because Cheney’s schedule isn’t typically announced for security reasons until 48 hours prior to his appearance at an event.

He will be the fourth sitting vice president to speak at commencement, following Alben Barkley in 1950, Richard Nixon in 1957 and Hubert Humphrey in 1966.

Cheney spokeswoman Jennifer Millerwise said the vice president will pay tribute to graduating seniors in his speech.

“He’s going to talk about some of his experiences and what students at MSU can expect,” Millerwise said. “He’s honored to be invited.”

While on the trip to East Lansing, Cheney will maintain his schedule as vice president, Millerwise said. He’ll take part in national security meetings from his traveling office. He’s not expected to speak extensively about the war on terrorism.

MSU President M. Peter McPherson has said repeatedly that Cheney has been a speaker MSU had hoped to bring to campus for some time.

“MSU is honored to have Vice President Richard Cheney address our undergraduates, students who soon will be following in the footsteps of our country’s leaders in business, government, the sciences, education, the arts and humanitarian endeavors,” McPherson said in a statement.

Cheney will receive an honorary doctorate of laws at the undergraduate student convocation, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at the Breslin Center.

Tickets are required for the event, with each graduating senior being allotted up to seven tickets - one for themselves and the rest for family members. Other students, faculty and staff members may get up to two tickets from college dean’s offices.

Because of tight security, the university is asking students and their guests to arrive at Breslin Center by 10 a.m. Friday, as searches will be conducted and metal detectors will be used.

This isn’t the first time MSU has asked students to arrive at commencement two or three hours early. Similar steps were taken when Canada Prime Minister Jean Chretien spoke in 1999 and when President Clinton addressed students in 1995.

“And no matter who the speaker is, it’s a good idea to arrive early,” university spokeswoman Deb Pozega Osburn said. “You want to make sure you don’t miss any of the activities.”

Cheney brings with him an extensive resume.

His public service career began in 1969, when he joined the Nixon administration in a number of capacities. Cheney also served on President Ford’s transition team, and was named chief of staff.

He was elected to the U.S. House in 1976, representing his home state of Wyoming. And he served the GOP as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee from 1981 to 1987 and as chairman of the House Republican Conference in 1987. In 1988, he was elected House minority whip.

Cheney joined the Bush administration in 1989, and served until January 1993 as secretary of defense, overseeing U.S. operations in the Persian Gulf.

He last visited campus in August 2000, while campaigning for the presidency with George W. Bush.

“I’m sure the campus will give him a warm welcome,” MSU Trustee Dee Cook said. “I guarantee this graduate class will remember their commencement speaker.

“The university deserves someone of this prominence.”

Staff writers Tara May and Jeremy W. Steele contributed to this report.

For continuing coverage of Cheney’s visit to campus, check back with www.statenews.com.

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