The University of Wisconsin will bring in world-renowned astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson as the keynote speaker for its first-ever Senior Day for graduates next Thursday.
The coordinators of Senior Day partnered with the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Distinguished Lecture Series to get Tyson to speak at the event. Senior Class President Steven Olikara said the whole idea of Senior Day was to create a “world class send-off” for the graduating class.
Tyson will speak on the Memorial Union Terrace at 3 p.m. on May 10. The event is free.
Olikara said the Wisconsin Idea emphasizes making the university’s missions of leadership, innovation and public service. This theme makes it a central component to Senior Day’s aim of inspiring students to pursue their dreams.
He added the coordinators brainstormed potential speakers for the event in attempts of finding someone who would fit with the Wisconsin Idea’s slogan of “think big, change the world.”
In 2007, Tyson was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. He has also made numerous television appearances on popular news shows such as The Colbert Report and The Daily Show, according to a UW statement.
Tyson also hosts a podcast, StarTalk, focusing on “the intersection of pop culture and pop science” and other breaking news in the field of astronomy.
“He’s great for the event,” Olikara said. “We want to inspire students to reach for the stars, both figuratively and literally, and Tyson is perfect for that.”
Olikara emphasized the enormous challenges facing students today as they enter the real world. By graduating from a world-class university and embodying the Wisconsin Idea they can make a difference in the world if they so choose, he said.
The Wisconsin Idea is now recognized globally. UW is a world-class university and the graduating seniors should have a farewell celebration adequately reflecting that position, he said.
“Never has it been a more important time for a young leader to lead in this world,” Olikara said. “We think Tyson will inspire young people to not only think big, but pursue their dreams and change the world.”
He added Senior Day would also function to bring the senior class together, as well as complementing the weekend’s commencement ceremonies.
