Faith Middleton to Speak at Commencement

Written by Allison Kelly   

       Eastern Alumna Faith Middleton, Commencement Speaker

Willimantic, Conn. -Veteran broadcast journalist Faith Middleton '71, host of her own show on Connecticut Public Radio, will deliver the keynote address at Eastern Connecticut State University's Commencement on May 24. The ceremony, which will confer 1,095 undergraduate and 96 graduate degrees, begins at 10:30 a.m. in the XL Center in Hartford. 

Eastern will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters on Middleton, who has won two Peabody Awards, the broadcast equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize for print journalism. Eastern also will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters on Jonathan Daube, recently retired after 21 years as president of Manchester Community College. Daube received the New England Board of Higher Education's 2008 Merit Award for his contributions to higher education in Connecticut.

In recognition of her skills as an interviewer and host, Faith Middleton has twice received the Peabody Award. In May 2008, she received the Mark Twain Award from the Connecticut Press Association and a Humanitarian Award from The Children's Community Programs of Connecticut.

Middleton recently received a Distinguished Public Service Award from the Connecticut Bar Association, joining the ranks of Helen Keller, Richard Rodgers, Arthur Miller and Dr. Henry Lee. Now in her 29th year as the host and executive producer of "The Faith Middleton Show," Ms. Middleton is heard in prime-time six days a week in Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York on WNPR-FM, as well as on the Internet at wnpr.org.

With her unique style and thought-provoking questions, Faith Middleton has been described as "an institution" in her broadcast region. For 11 consecutive years, the readers and editors of Connecticut magazine have voted her "Best Radio Talk Show Host" in Connecticut. In 2008, the magazine named Middleton to its Hall of Fame.

In addition to her radio work, Faith Middleton has hosted and produced several popular television series for Connecticut Public Television; one aired nationally. She has been a regular contributor to NPR's "All Things Considered," "Morning Edition," and "Weekend Edition," and has guest-hosted NPR's "Fresh Air with Terri Gross."

Ms. Middleton describes her work as "a never-ending exploration of the richness of life," conducting interviews she hopes will enlighten as well as entertain. The wide-ranging subjects she brings to her listeners include culture, food, sustainability, news, politics, entertainment, poverty, community issues, architecture, work, leisure, design, science, sports, education, religion, history, medicine, humanity and art.

 "Faith Middleton is one of the most distinguished radio voices of our time," said Eastern President Elsa Nuñez. "Faith was Eastern's Commencement speaker in 1993 and is back by popular demand. As she was in 1993, she continues to serve as an inspiration for our students, faculty and staff, and the families and friends of our graduates. We are in for a rare treat."                            

                                          Jonathan Daube

Under President Daube's leadership Manchester Community College (MCC) has enabled MCC to become a vibrant education center and a catalyst for regional growth and development.           

Daube's accomplishments include overseeing the improvements to MCC's physical plant over the past several years as well as fostering a culture of diversity and inclusiveness at the college, making it a place where communities can come together to find common ground, mutual interest and connections.

His vision and leadership was the moving force behind the establishment of the Great Path Academy, the first public high school constructed on a college campus in Connecticut, where high school students from throughout the region are able to immerse themselves in a college community and accelerate their post secondary school studies.

Daube was honored as the Connecticut recipient of the New England Board of

 Higher Education's 2008 Merit Award for his contributions to higher education.

 He has been elected president of the Board of Directors of the University of Aberdeen Development Trust USA in Scotland; and is widely known on the state, national and international levels as a true educator who is admired for his scholarly interests and his sincere dedication to students.

The media is cordially invited to attend. If you have any questions regarding parking or clearance, please call the Office of University Relations at (860) 465-5114.