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John McCain, the senior Senator from Arizona and a Columbia College parent, will deliver the keynote address at this spring's Class Day ceremony on May 16, announced Austin Quigley, dean of the College, and Kwame Spearman, president of the Class of 2006. Class Day is the Columbia College ceremony honoring candidates for Bachelor of Arts degrees from Columbia. Graduates will individually have their names read out and will receive a class pin, while celebrating their achievement with faculty, family, and friends. The ceremony will take place on South Field.
John McCain is best known for his decades of service to the United States as a congressman, senator, and decorated veteran, who bravely endured 5 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He has also published several books dealing with public service, character, courage and family reminiscences.
McCain began his career as a naval officer in 1958 after graduating, as did his father and grandfather, from the U.S. Naval Academy. He entered politics in 1982 when he was elected to Congress, representing what was then the First Congressional District of Arizona. In 1986, he was elected to the United States Senate to replace Barry Goldwater, and he is now serving his fourth term as a senator.
In 2000, McCain ran a strong but ultimately unsuccessful campaign for the Republican nomination for President of the United States. A nationally recognized public figure, he is currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and a member of both the Armed Services Committee and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
Senator McCain has seven children and four grandchildren. He and his wife, Cindy, reside in Phoenix, Arizona, and their daughter is a Columbia College junior.
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