Kofi Annan cancels as Class Day Speaker

COURTESY NEWSMAKERS UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will not speak at Class Day this year.

The Tues., Jan 12 letter from United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan gets straight to the point.

"I am writing to express my most sincere apologies for having to withdraw as Class Day Speaker at the 1999 Commencement of Yale University," Annan writes. "I regret that unanticipated circumstances have caused a number of disruptions in my 1999 programme, which will make it impossible for me to travel to New Haven in May."

Bryan Koplin, DC '99, Class Day committee co-chair, explained that the committee quickly and quietly addressed the matter once it received the grim news from senior adviser Jenny Edwards, Association of Yale Alumni (AYA) Associate Director for Yale College Classes, to whom the letter is addressed. "As soon as we were told, we basically regrouped and figured out a plan of attack," he said. Senior Class Council President Steve Kraus, PC '99 , said that at this point the committee will keep its deadlines private, but he confirmed that it has sent letters to possible replacements.

Koplin voiced the disappointment and frustration felt by the committee members at the loss of a speaker with Annan's prestige. "We're very disappointed, but we understand that he has more serious obligations," Koplin said. President Richard Levin, GRD '74, who typically works with each Class Day committee, has offered his assistance to help find another speaker. "I, too, am disappointed that Kofi Annan will not be able to come on Class Day," he said. "As for next steps, I am always willing to help the senior class in its efforts to recruit a speaker."

When Annan accepted the invitation to speak last fall, his decision resulted in part from the fact that Isabelle Lindenmayer, BK '99, is the daughter of the Special Assistant to the Secretary-General, Elizabeth Lindenmayer. Though the elder Lindenmayer could not be reached for comment, her secretary, Kathleen O'Shea, confirmed that Annan had canceled. Kraus said the committee welcomes input from other students, their families, and their friends with ties to prominent potential speakers. "If any student who has a connection would be willing to help us out, we'd be happy to hear from them," he said.

Over the past month, committee members have been referring to the surveys filled out by seniors last fall which asked students to list the various attributes they desired in a Class Day speaker, including profession and personal qualities. The survey also asked each senior to indicate his or her top three choices for a speaker. Edwards said that the overall qualities sought by a graduating class in a speaker vary from year to year.

At that point last fall, Edwards said that the committee "went through the process of prioritizing their choices." She added, however, that "this is not a ranked list." The committee arrived at Annan as its top choice based on the match between his personal and professional qualities and the survey results. "We're not going to get a prototype of Kofi Annan," Kraus said. "Unfortunately, we've been put in a tough situation and we're looking for a speaker with the same or better qualities."

The prospect of an alumnus as Class Day speaker at this point is one of many options, according to Kraus. "We're not ruling anything out," he said. When Levin was asked whether the committee might turn to an alumnus at this point, he said, "I certainly understand the interest in casting a wide net for Class Day speakers, but history supports the view that alumni can reliably be counted upon to accept invitations from the senior class."

Edwards explained that she works very closely with the committee throughout the year planning the Class Day festivities. "Generally, through me, the committee is in touch with Linda Lorimer, LAW '77, and President Levin and they offer assistance." Lorimer declined to comment. Edwards added that, unlike at other universities, Class Day at Yale is the responsibility of the senior class, not the University president.

One obstacle to landing an alumnus is that speakers are not offered incentives such as honorary degrees, which can only be granted by the Yale Corporation. "The students offer to pay [the speaker's] travel expenses and also [donate] to the charity of the speaker's choice," Edwards said.

According to Edwards, "the committee co-chairs are working as hard as possible" to obtain a new speaker. "My confidence and optimism that we'll get an incredible speaker hasn't shifted at all. Whoever we get, people will be very excited," Koplin said.

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