Acclaimed memoirist and Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt will deliver the 2007 Commencement address to graduates of Syracuse University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) during joint exercises Sunday, May 13, in the Carrier Dome.
McCourt, born in New York City and raised in Limerick, Ireland, in the 1930s and '40s, is best known for his 1996 childhood memoir, "Angela's Ashes," which was honored with the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Critics' Circle Award, The ABBY Award, The Los Angeles Times Book Award and Britain's Royal Society for Literature Award, and was chosen by many newspapers to be on their lists of Best Books of 1996.
"The perspectives and lifelong experiences Mr. McCourt will share with us in his address will make this year's ceremony truly memorable," says SU Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor. "The University community made a fine choice in recommending such an inspiring individual, gifted writer and captivating storyteller as Commencement speaker."
At the age of 19, McCourt returned to the United States from Ireland to seek an education and career. After graduating from New York University's School of Education and supporting himself with several odd jobs, he began his career as a New York public high school teacher. In September 1996, after retiring from teaching, McCourt released "Angela's Ashes," published by Scribner Publishing. It quickly rose to the top of the hardcover bestseller lists, remaining on The New York Times list for 117 weeks. It was also selected as the number one nonfiction book of the year by Time and Newsweek magazines. With the 1999 release of the film version of "Angela's Ashes," by Paramount Pictures, the paperback edition also achieved bestseller status.
In September 1999, McCourt published the follow-up to Angela's Ashes, "'Tis: A Memoir," which hit The New York Times bestseller list at number one, as did the paperback edition. For a time, "'Tis" and "Angela's Ashes" were simultaneously at number one in hardcover and paperback, respectively. "'Tis" received the New York Society Library Award and Italy's Riccardo Bacchelli Award. In November 2005, "Teacher Man" was released and jumped to number one on The New York Times bestseller list.
McCourt's acclaimed musical revue, "The Irish and How They Got That Way," ran for more than a year at the Irish Repertory Theatre in New York City. And the two-man play "A Couple of Blaguards" continues to be produced throughout the United States, Canada and Australia.
He is a contributing editor for the new LIFE magazine and is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards. He is also collaborating with composer David Amram on a New York City-inspired Mass called "Missa Manhattan."
McCourt was chosen as this year's Commencement speaker through a selection process designed to give students and others in the University community the opportunity to assist in the decision making. A student committee composed of the senior class marshals, the student marshals from each of the University's schools and colleges, and the three student representatives to the University's Board of Trustees coordinated the process. Suggestions were collected through a website and offered directly to the committee. The committee reviewed all potential speakers and made specific suggestions to Cantor, whose office conveyed the invitation to McCourt.
