Former U.S. Senator, Rhodes Scholar, Princeton University All-American and NBA All Star Bill Bradley will deliver the commencement address at Hamilton College on Sunday, May 25.
"Senator Bradley's career epitomizes the breadth of the liberal arts ideal and the pursuit of excellence we strive to instill in all our students," said Hamilton President Eugene Tobin. "We are delighted he has accepted our invitation to participate in this special occasion when we recognize those, like him, who have achieved academic distinction."
In 1965, following a spectacular academic and athletic career at Princeton, Bradley spurned an offer to play for the New York Knicks, opting instead to continue his studies as a Rhodes scholar at Oxford University in England.
Two years later, in 1967, Bradley joined the Knicks and over the next 10 years was a starter for two NBA championship teams and one championship runner-up squad. A year after retiring from professional basketball, Bradley was elected to the first of his three terms in the U.S. Senate, representing New Jersey.
Bradley's career in public life has been guided by four principles: restoring economic and personal security to American families, strengthening civil society in ways that go beyond government, protecting the country's national heritage, and rethinking America's role in the world.
"I believe that elective office is one of democracy's marvelous abstractions," Bradley told a reporter in 1990. "And that you can exercise power, but you musn't claim it."
In addition to speaking, Bradley will be awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree. Approximately 420 Hamilton students will receive bachelor's degrees during the ceremony that marks the end of the college's 185th academic year.
The commencement ceremony, which begins at 10:30 a.m., will take place on Steuben Field. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House.
