Joseph Walsh named URI student commencement speaker

KINGSTON, R.I. -- May 15, 2000 -- For the past four years, Joseph Walsh has been a familiar face around the University of Rhode Island community. As a tour guide and freshmen orientation leader, he was often one of the first to greet new URI students. As former student body president, he was often seen around campus rallying students, serving on various committees, or speaking out in the media on behalf of student interests. And finally, as senior speaker, Walsh will appear for one last time as a URI student before his peers, professors, and members of the community during URI's 114th undergraduate commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 21 at 12:30 p.m. on the quadrangle of the Kingston Campus.

A resident of Exeter, Walsh was chosen as the Class of 2000 speaker by the URI Senior Speaker Selection Committee, which is composed mainly of undergraduate students and one faculty member, based upon his speech content and presentation. His speech offers students a humorous look at the URI they have known for the past four years and at the same time describes the significant accomplishments and losses the class has endured.

"We had no idea what we were really in for, did we?" he asks in his speech.

A communications studies major and leadership and history minor, Walsh has played an active role in the University community throughout his years at URI. In addition to an internship and various committee memberships, Walsh was elected and served as president of the URI Student Senate during the 1999-2000 academic year. He served as a student speaker for URI admissions Office, a URI 101 mentor, a F.L.I.T.E. (First Year Leaders Inspired to Excellence) Peer Leader, an orientation leader and a founding member of RAM tours. For his leadership ability and scholarship, Walsh was inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the National

Communication Studies Honor Society, and was a founding member of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society.

"The years we have spent at URI have been some of the most intense years we'll ever see. We've all grown emotionally, professionally, and socially, and have learned more than we can even fathom now. I want to capture the sheer impressiveness of our accomplishments, and reflect on the last four years together with my class, right there on the quad. Everyone present will know that we are proud to be the class of 2000," said Walsh.

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For Information: Jhodi Redlich, 401-874-2116, Jennifer Smith, 401-874-2116