Sally Stroup, assistant to U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, will replace him as speaker at commencement for both the colleges of Music and Education and Human Development.
Stroup is more than an adequate replacement, according to Linda Swaisgood, director of communications for the college of Education and Human Development. Stroup, who became assistant secretary of postsecondary education in March, has expertise on colleges nationwide.
“She’s responsible for postsecondary education across the country, so she’s definitely informed,” Swaisgood said.
Though Stroup might be worthy of speaking at the May 11 ceremony, Paige’s Monday cancellation means a few tentative events, including a luncheon and a press conference, must be canceled.
“We would’ve done other functions because he was willing to stay all day,” Swaisgood said.
She was relieved that invitations to these events hadn’t already been sent, she said. “I had confirmation over the phone, but I wanted proof on paper that he’d be here.”
Though that proof didn?t come, it might come next year.
The U.S. Department of Education not only found Paige’s replacement but said Paige could speak for the graduating class of 2003.
“They’ve offered us a rain check,” Swaisgood said. “They said they’d love to come back.”
Because the two colleges alternate choosing speakers each year, the college of Music will decide if Paige will come next year.
As for this year’s commencement, Swaisgood said that even if the U.S. Department of Education never found a replacement, others were willing to speak, including some students.
“You have to plan ahead when you’re holding an event of this magnitude,” she added. “Even the Dean was ready to do a speech if that needed to be done.”
Paige’s acceptance to speak, which arrived only three weeks ago, was just as much of a surprise as his cancellation, Swaisgood said. Those at the college of Education and Human Development never expected an invitation sent almost a year ago to ever return.
But those three weeks, however, make a difference. A luncheon and press conference would be possible if there were more time. “There is too little time for some of these things,” Swaisgood said. “But at least we have a speaker.”
