This Wednesday, the commencement speaker for the Hopkins class of 2011 was announced as journalist and author Fareed Zakaria.
Zakaria is host of CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, Editor-At-Large of TIME Magazine, columnist for the Washington Post and former editor of Newsweek International. He has been hailed by Esquire Magazine as “the most influential foreign policy advisor of his generation.”
“[Zakaria] is a particularly appropriate [choice] given the current turmoil [in the Middle East],” said Senior Class President Josh Ayal.
Raised in Mumbai, Zakaria received a B.A. from Yale University and a Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University. He has written two New York Times bestsellers, The Post-American World and The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad, both of which focus strongly on the future of the US in the international arena.
“I’m really excited to hear what Fareed Zakaria has to say knowing he’s accomplished so much in his life,” senior Grace Yoo said. “I am confident that he will deliver a great address.”
According to Ayal, the administration has been working with the senior class council since the summer to select an appropriate speaker. Despite their hard work, many seniors having expressed uncertainty about the council’s choice.
“Reading the description about him, it makes me feel unlearned that I don’t know who is he,” senior Linda Zhou said. “ I’m keeping an open mind and hopefully, it will turn out to be unexpectedly good.”
Senior Andrew Wisneski agreed. “After a quick Google search, I think this [is] someone who would probably be more memorable to the IR side of Hopkins. But nevertheless I am grateful for the class council’s efforts.”
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