Rensselaer News and Communications reports that Bill Cosby will speak at Rensselaer's Commencement, to be held on May 12, 2001, at Pepsi Arena in Albany. Cosby will be presented with an honorary doctorate in Arts and Humane Letters.

John Cloninger said, "Bill Cosby is a first-class choice as a commencement speaker. He is a man who is both an accomplished entertainer and a devotee of education." Dave Aiello put it more bluntly. "The guy who gave the keynote address at my graduation was the head of Battelle Memorial Institute. He meant well, but, he wasn't Bill Cosby. This is another step toward greater national recognition for RPI. We should all thank Dr. Jackson for making this happen."

For more information about the Rensselaer's 195th Commencement, visit the Commencement 2001 section of www.rpi.edu.