Morrison chosen for Baccalaureate

Toni Morrison has been selected to speak at this year's Baccalaureate, an interfaith service for seniors that marks the beginning of commencement.

Morrison, the Robert F. Goheen Professor in the Humanities, has served on the Princeton faculty since 1989.

Since the publication of her first novel "The Bluest Eye" in 1970, Morrison has earned numerous distinctions for her writings, which depict the lives of black families in racist America. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for her novel "Beloved" and the Nobel Prize in Literature — the first ever awarded to an African-American — in 1993.

Tilghman selected Morrison based on the recommendation of senior class members.

"The senior class officers made this choice, which I strongly endorse," Tilghman said in an email. "I think she will be a magnificent speaker."

Class of 2005 president Azalea Kim said the class officers considered several speakers but ultimately selected Morrison because of her extraordinary accomplishments as a writer combined with her intimate ties to the university. That combination, Kim said, makes her the ideal candidate to give students perspective on life after Princeton.

"It's the last ceremony before you go into commencement," Kim said. "You want to highlight the Princeton experience and give students a chance to reflect." The officers wanted "someone that's had their own Princeton experience to put it into perspective," she added.

Class officers have traditionally selected speakers affiliated with the University. The Class of 2004 selected University history professor John McPherson, while the Class of 2003 selected Fred Hargadon, former dean of admission.

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Kim noted Morrison's popular appeal as another factor in the decision.

"Dr. Morrison's message will resonate with our peers," Kim said. "She has an incredible gift of reaching beyond boundaries to build bridges between people in a community."

Other seniors also expressed enthusiasm.

"As an English major, I have always wanted to take one of her classes," Chandra Russell '05 said. "Just to hear her at the end of my career – I'd love it."

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Sherene Awad '05 said she respects Morrison's efforts to battle racism and ignorance with education and literature, saying the writer's life can serve as an example to others.

"She has contributed to giving a voice to women, and black women especially, which is a hard voice to bring out," Awad said.

"Of the faculty here, it would be hard to select someone more inspiring," she said.

Kim said Morrison's address will blend well with the extremely personal nature of the Baccalaureate ceremony which, unlike commencement, doesn't allow family members and friends to attend.

"It's just your class," she said. "It's definitely really important to hone in on the idea of Princeton."