2001 Alumnus David to speak at U of O Commencement

Clarksville, Ark. --- University of the Ozarks will confer bachelor degrees to 100 graduating seniors during its 2008 Commencement ceremony, scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 10, on the campus mall.

Matt David, a 2001 Summa Cum Laude U of O graduate who is the deputy chief of staff for communications in the administration of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, will be the Commencement speaker. David’s broad experience as a political operative includes work for campaigns, political action groups, and both federal and state government service. He has held senior communications positions on national and statewide campaigns, including as deputy communications director for Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. In 2006, David served as deputy communications director for Gov. Schwarzenegger’s successful re-election campaign where he was in charge of the rapid response, war room and debate communications operations. A native of Oklahoma, David earned a law degree with honors from the University of Tulsa. While at Ozarks, he was a four-year letterman on the men’s soccer team as well as a member of the American Southwest Conference All-Academic Team.

Fidel Samour, a business administration major from El Salvador, was elected by his fellow graduating seniors to deliver the greetings from the senior class. Kate Schoenhals, a biology major from Medford, Oregon, is the recipient of the 2008 Hurie Award, voted on by the faculty and given to the outstanding member of the senior class.

Preceding Commencement will be the Baccalaureate Service at 9 a.m. in Munger Chapel. University Chaplain Rev. Nancy Benson-Nicol will present the proclamation.

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