Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt has been chosen to deliver the commencement address to 2007 graduates of Syracuse University and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, according to Kevin Quinn, vice president for Public Affairs at SU.

McCourt was chosen by a student committee composed of senior class marshals, marshals from every school and college at SU and representatives to SU’s Board of Trustees, according to an SU News release. Chancellor Nancy Cantor’s office officially invited McCourt to speak at commencement after the committee reviewed possible candidates and made suggestions to the office.

McCourt is probably best known for writing 1996’s ‘Angela’s Ashes,’ a memoir chronicling his Irish Catholic childhood.’The perspectives and lifelong experiences that Mr. McCourt will share with the university community will make the 2007 commencement a truly memorable occasion,’ Quinn said. ‘He is an inspiring individual, gifted writer and a captivating storyteller.’

The 2007 commencement will take place on May 13 at the Carrier Dome.

— Compiled by Eric Hughes, asst. news editor