Pete Sanborn
Office of Public Relations
617-627-3824
peter.sanborn@tufts.edu 

Comedian and Educator Bill Cosby to Give Tufts Commencement Address

MEDFORD, Mass. -- He’s made families laugh with his down to earth humor, and has been a tireless advocate for learning. Now, Dr. Bill Cosby will be the main speaker at Tufts University’s 144th commencement on May 21st.
      “Dr. Cosby is an outspoken advocate of literacy and education,” said Tufts President Dr. John DiBiaggio. “We are proud to have Dr. Cosby address the class of 2000, as he is an outstanding role model for students, teachers and parents alike.”
     Cosby, a native of Philadelphia, believes that the best assurance for a satisfying and rewarding life begins with knowledge. Cosby himself went back to college, long after he had achieved much of his success, in order to obtain a masters degree as well as an Ed.D. He has, in fact, applied this further education in his professional life.
     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.”
     Tufts University will graduate about 1,900 students this spring.
     “It is always a pleasure to see those fresh faces of the new graduates,” Dr. Cosby said. “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.” Tufts University will also be awarding a number of honorary degrees at the commencement exercises. Those recipients will be announced at a later date.