David Brancaccio, the host of American Public Media’s Marketplace Morning Report, will deliver the keynote address at Saturday’s University of Southern Maine graduation.

PORTLAND — The University of Southern Maine, which includes the Lewiston-Auburn College, will celebrate its 137th commencement Saturday at the Cross Insurance Arena.

More than 900 students will take part in the ceremony, beginning at 9 a.m.

Award-winning journalist David Brancaccio will deliver the keynote address and receive an honorary degree. Brancaccio is the host of American Public Media’s Marketplace Morning Report.

Also receiving an honorary degree will be Mary L. Bonauto, the civil rights project director at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders.

“USM is honored to bring one of journalism’s most respected voices to speak at our 2017 commencement,” USM President Glenn Cummings said in a news release. “We are especially proud since David Brancaccio, an Emmy and Peabody award winner, is also a Maine native.”

Bonauto, who lives in Portland, successfully argued in 2015 before the U.S. Supreme Court in the historic case establishing the freedom for same-sex couples to marry.

Mary L. Bonauto, the civil rights project director at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, will receive an honorary degree at the University of Southern Maine’s graduation Saturday.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.