Legendary journalist Cokie Roberts to speak at Spring Commencement

Cokie Roberts, a political commentator for ABC and senior news analyst for National Public Radio, will deliver the commencement address for the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media on May 7, 2016.

From 1996-2002, Roberts and Sam Donaldson co-anchored the weekly ABC interview program "This Week." In her more than 40 years in broadcasting, she has won countless awards, including three Emmys. Roberts has been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, and was also cited by the American Women in Radio and Television as one of the 50 greatest women in the history of broadcasting.

"Cokie Roberts brings a reporter’s experience and skill to her analysis of Washington events that has made her commentaries on NPR’s Morning Edition each Monday a must-listen event," said Susan King, dean of the school. "Having grown up in Washington as the daughter of one of the  top leaders of Congress, she understands the culture and history of the nation’s capital. In this presidential election year, Cokie will offer students a memorable graduation send off that is journalistic, historically-grounded and inspiring."

Roberts is also a best-selling author. Her number one bestseller, "We Are Our Mothers’ Daughters," is an account of women’s roles and relationships throughout American history. Her other bestselling books — "Founding Mothers," published in 2004 and "Ladies of Liberty" in 2008 — are histories of women in America’s founding era.

Roberts, along with her husband, Steven Roberts, writes a weekly column syndicated in newspapers around the country by United Media. They also are contributing editors to USA Weekend Magazine, and in 2011 they published "Our Haggadah: Uniting Traditions for Interfaith Families." Their earlier collaboration, "From this Day Forward," is an account of their more than 40-year marriage and other marriages in American history and immediately went onto The New York Times bestseller list.

Cokie Roberts holds more than 25 honorary degrees and serves on the boards of numerous nonprofit institutions. In 2003, President Bush appointed Roberts to the Council on Service and Civic Participation.

In 2008, the Library of Congress named her a “Living Legend,” making her one of the few Americans to attain that honor.

For more information on Spring Commencement, visit the school's event page.