Uh… uh… that sucks! Somehow!

Indeed, Penn appears to have chosen NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg to speak at its 2008 Commencement Exercises For Young Princes, according to a release from University Secretary Leslie Laird Kruhly. Maybe he’ll take the occasion to finally announce his bid for the presidency as an independent. Because a foreign policy hawk who cares about trans fats is just what America needs for Unity! Hillel must be so excited.

Full statement, including honorary degree recipients — that FAUST from Harvard is one! — after the jump.

Dear members of the Speaker Advisory Group:

Attached please find a press release announcing Mr. Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York, as Penn’s 2008 Commencement speaker.

As the press release indicates, the other Honorary Degree recipients are:

 *   Mr. Paquito D’Rivera, Musician and Composer
 *   Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust, G’71 Gr’75, President, Harvard University
 *   Dr. Lila Gleitman, Gr’67, Steven and Marcia Roth Professor of
Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
  *   Dr. Bert W. O’Malley,  Tom Thompson Professor and Chair,
Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
 *   Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, Founder and Executive Chairman of Shanduka
Group and Former Secretary General, African National Congress
  *   Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Frederick P. Rose Director, Hayden
Planetarium, American Museum of Natural History.

As is our policy, the members of the Speaker Advisory Group are
receiving today’s notice in advance of any public release of this
 information.

Penn is proud to be able to confirm such an extremely distinguished
and diverse group of Honorary Degree recipients.  We are particularly
excited about the selection of Michael Bloomberg as he represents both
 an engaging speaker and perennial nomination from student participants
in the Speaker Advisory Group as well as embodying Penn’s highest
ideals of leadership and societal contribution.

We will be sending this press release to the Daily Pennsylvanian later
 today. I would imagine some of you may be contacted by the DP for
comment on this year’s selections.  Please bear in mind that every
aspect of our discussions about specific Honorary Degree candidates,
the timing and sequence of invitations being extended, etc., must
 remain absolutely confidential-not only during possible interviews
with the DP, but also in casual conversations with your friends and
classmates.  I count on each of you to maintain this confidence.

If you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you.

Regards,

Leslie Laird Kruhly
Secretary of the University