NBC's Brian Williams to Deliver George Washington University's Commencement Address

Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News and host of Rock Center, will address graduates of the George Washington University at its commencement on the National Mall, Sunday, May 20, 2012. Mr. Williams will receive an honorary doctorate degree and speak to an estimated 25,000 graduates and guests. International businessman and philanthropic leader Carlos Slim, and internationally renowned artist Clarice Smith also will receive honorary degrees from the university.

Mr. Williams, one of the nation's foremost television journalists, began his broadcasting career in 1981 at KOAM-TV in Pittsburg, Kan. He worked at several local stations in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City before joining NBC News in 1993. Mr. Williams served as NBC's chief White House correspondent and later assumed the role of anchor and managing editor of The News With Brian Williams on MSNBC and CNBC. Since taking over as anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News in 2004, he has strengthened the broadcast's position as the most-watched television newscast and has become the most highly decorated evening news anchor of the modern era. In 2007, TIME named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2011, NBC News launched Rock Center with Brian Williams, the network's first new primetime newsmagazine in nearly two decades.

"It is an honor to be asked, and I intend to point out the obvious: every graduate in the audience will have achieved what I failed to do...earn a college degree," said Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams attended GW for the fall semester of 1980.

Business leader and humanitarian Carlos Slim has made significant contributions to business and community development in Mexico and Latin America, and his extensive philanthropic work through his foundations has led to improvements and investments in education, health and the fine arts. Mr. Slim also was awarded the George Washington University President's Medal in 2009.

Clarice Smith is a native of Washington, D.C., and a two-time George Washington alumna. Ms. Smith was also a member of GW's art department faculty from 1980-1987. She has been painting professionally for 35 years and has had numerous solo exhibitions in museums and galleries in the United States and abroad. Ms. Smith presently serves on the Board of Commissioners at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.