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News Releases » 2004 » May 05/06/2004Olympic Figure Skater and Cancer Survivor Scott Hamilton to Speak at Ithaca College Commencement
Ithaca, NY--Scott Hamilton, who has demonstrated his courage and determination both on the ice and off, will deliver the main address at Ithaca College's 109th Commencement on Sunday, May 16. The figure skating gold medalist and cancer survivor will speak to some 1,355 graduates and their guests at the 10:00 a.m. ceremony at Butterfield Stadium.
Also speaking at Commencement will be Ithaca College president Peggy R. Williams, senior class president Melissa Ferraro, and chairman of the board of trustees William Haines. Herman E. "Skip" Muller Jr. '51, a former chairman and longtime member of the board, will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree. Hamilton earned his first trip to the Winter Olympics in 1980, when he was selected by his teammates to carry the American flag for the opening ceremonies at Lake Placid. He followed his fifth-place finish that year by winning four consecutive national and world championships, then turned in a gold medal performance at the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo. After entering the professional skating ranks later that year, Hamilton continued to be a crowd favorite in both competitions and in tours with the Ice Capades and Stars on Ice. In 1997 he faced his most difficult challenge when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Following 12 weeks of chemotherapy, surgery, and 6 weeks of recuperation, he made a triumphant return to the Stars on Ice tour. Now retired from active skating, Hamilton has turned his experience with cancer into an opportunity to help others. He is the founder of the Scott Hamilton CARES (Cancer Alliance for Research, Education, and Survivorship) Initiative and a spokesperson for the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center. He is actively involved in the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Special Olympics, and Pediatric Aids Foundation. In 1999 he published his autobiography, "Landing It," and he has served as a commentator for television broadcasts of figure skating, including the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Muller earned his degree in management from Ithaca College and served on the board of trustees from 1966 until this past year, when he became an honorary trustee. He was elected vice chairman in 1992 and chairman the following year, holding that post until stepping down in 2001. In 1998 he was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Ithaca College Alumni Association. Formerly associated with the New York City accounting firm of Pannell Kerr Forster, Muller is now a private financial consultant. For more information on the Ithaca College Commencement ceremony, which will be webcast live via streaming video, visit www.ithaca.edu/commencement. Note to all editors: If you are planning to attend Ithaca College's Commencement, please contact Dave Maley at 607/274-1440 to obtain press passes and parking permits. Radio and TV assignment editors/producers: We can provide video and audio excerpts of Commencement, including the address by Scott Hamilton. Please contact Dave Maley at 607/274-1440 to make arrangements for delivery. Contact: Dave Maley Office: (607) 274-1440 news@ithaca.edu Reference: 1472 |
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