THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 19, 1996 TAG: 9604190561
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LYNCHBURG LENGTH: Short : 28 lines
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas will speak at Liberty University's commencement, replacing Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole, who canceled, the university said Thursday.
Thomas will address Liberty students and faculty May 11, the school said.
The college founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell has a solid record of drawing national conservative leaders. Previous commencement speakers have included George Bush, Newt Gingrich, Pat Buchanan, Phil Gramm, Jesse Helms and Oliver North.
During a meeting in Washington last December, Dole told Falwell he would be the commencement speaker unless there was an unavoidable scheduling conflict, according to a statement from Liberty. After an unspecified conflict arose, Thomas was invited.
Falwell invited Dole to speak at Liberty in the fall. by CNB