Lincoln
College welcomes Actor Hal Holbrook
as 2016 Commencement Speaker
Local
Student, Cody Garretson, named
Lincoln Laureate and Student Speaker
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[May 15, 2016]
LINCOLN -
Lincoln College is honored to
welcome Emmy and Tony Award winning
actor, Hal Holbrook as its special
guest speaker and honorary degree
recipient for the 2016 Commencement
ceremony Saturday, May 7.
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Holbrook,
a multi-Emmy winner, will address
graduates, their families, faculty
and staff on the Lincoln College
campus at 2:00 p.m.
Although best known for his one-man
performances as Mark Twain, Holbrook
has portrayed Abraham Lincoln
numerous times and is the only actor
to win an Emmy Award for his role as
Abraham Lincoln. It is a natural fit
for Holbrook to speak at the first
institution named for Abraham
Lincoln and the only one during
Lincoln’s lifetime.
“We are very honored to have Mr.
Holbrook share his experiences and
knowledge with our graduates.” David
Gerlach, President of Lincoln
College stated, “We deeply
appreciate the effort of Lincoln
College Trustee and noted Lincoln
historian Louise Taper in asking her
friend and colleague, Mr. Holbrook
to be our commencement speaker. This
is a historic time for Lincoln
College as we boldly return to our
roots as Lincoln University offering
both two-year and four-year degrees.
It is especially appropriate that
Mr. Holbrook, who is much-loved
across the country for his
historical performances, will be our
special guest.”
Holbrook also portrayed Lincoln
confidant and advisor Francis
Preston Blair in Steven Spielberg’s,
Lincoln. In 2016, Holbrook is
celebrating a 50-years film career
that began when he appeared in The
Group, in 1966. At 91, Holbrook
remains active in film, television
and stage, having appeared in recent
years in such varied productions as
Into the Wild, Water for Elephants,
Sons of Anarchy and the animated
Planes: Fire and Rescue.
"Portraying Abe Lincoln -- the
research in books, the travels to
places he lived, the trail of his
sprint for us to follow; made a deep
mark on my life.” said Holbrook, “He
told us what Americans should be
about and how large their heart
should be. To be honored by the
University which bears his name is
an honor that is profound.”
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“We are thrilled Mr.
Holbrook has taken time out of his
busy schedule to help celebrate our
graduates. We look forward to
presenting him with an honorary
doctorate degree to show our
appreciation and respect for helping
make graduation an even more
memorable day,” added Gerlach.
Cody Garretson of New Holland,
Illinois has been named the Lincoln
Laureate and will serve as the
student speaker during commencement.
Garretson is a member of Phi Theta
Kappa Honor Society and majoring in
Jazz Studies. He is an outstanding
leader both in and out of the
classroom. During his tenure at
Lincoln College, Garretson has won
several musical awards including:
the Bette Dirks Award, Lincoln
College’s Louis Armstrong Award, and
Outstanding Soloist Award at the
Heritage Festival in New Orleans.
Lincoln College will honor 273
candidates during commencement.
“In my first year as president of
Lincoln College, I am honored to
become part of this monumental time
in our graduates’ educational
career.” said, Gerlach. “I look
forward to congratulating and
awarding each of our graduates their
respective degrees and wish them
luck as they advance in their
careers.”
[Christina Xamix]
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