Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist will be keynote speaker at commencement

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat "It's been a great experience, a great elixir, being here at this university.... It's nice to do something different. - It's going to make me a better reporter when I go back to the Times." George Ramos Pulitzer Prize-winning Los Angeles Times reporter and visiting UA journalism lecturer to speak at next week's commencement ceremony

George Ramos, who has been teaching advanced reporting classes since January as a Freedom Forum professional journalist-in-residence, was nominated for the honor by the Associated Students Speakers Board. University of Arizona President Peter Likins selected Ramos last week after discovering his initial choice for speaker would not be available to attend commencement Dec. 19.

"The president was impressed by his (Ramos') career and his background and thought he would bring a distinguished presence to the commencement," Terence Burke, associate to the president, said Friday after confirming Ramos' selection.

Ramos, who has written for the Times since 1978, won the Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal for Meritorious Public Service in 1984 for leading a series of articles about the lives of Latinos in Southern California. He also contributed to the Times' Pulitzer-winning coverage of the 1994 Northridge earthquake and the riots following the acquittals of four police officers in the 1992 Rodney King case.

Ramos, 51, said the importance of origins and identity will be a theme when he speaks to the 3,700 students expected to receive their degrees during the 9:30 a.m. ceremony.

"Wildcats are not just football fanatics," Ramos said. "They should know a love for the desert, a love of the area and love of the uniqueness that exists here."

He also said he will stress the importance of embracing other cultures.

"Have compassion for the less fortunate," he said. "It's OK if you're all the 'Rush Limbaugh' type, but do it in a different language."

Ramos received his bachelor's degree at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in 1969. He spoke at commencement there in 1991 amid the university's plans to eliminate its journalism department.

"I took them to the woodshed and screamed at them," Ramos said, remembering his speech that emphasized the importance of recognizing people's origins and the ability to return to a school that still recognizes their degree program. "That stopped it (the elimination) dead in its tracks."

Ramos, who said he asked Likins for a $250 speaker's fee, added that he joked with the president about speaking against the UA's 1995 plan to eliminate the journalism department.

"But my role here is not to be a saboteur," he said.

"It's been a great experience, a great elixir, being here at this university," Ramos said. "After being a journalist for 30 years, you ask, 'Do you still have enthusiasm? Do you still have the tread on the tires?' It's nice to do something different. - It's going to make me a better reporter when I go back to the Times."

Ramos, whose UA visit ends this semester, said he will return to his job as senior writer for Latino affairs.

Although the die-hard UCLA fan is honored by his selection, Ramos said he can't believe he will speak at McKale Center, "where the Bruins are always booed."

He said he was surprised to learn he was chosen as the keynote speaker.

"It's kind of a make-believe ending to a wonderful year here," Ramos said. Humble, he quipped, "I'd like to kill the student who put my name up for this. Likins was a little vague about that."

Speakers Board Director Justin Klump, who submitted the nomination to Likins, could not be reached for comment.

Joseph Altman Jr. can be reached via e-mail at Joseph.Altman.Jr@wildcat.arizona.edu.