Broadway actor AndrAc De Shields will be the commencement speaker for spring 2007, the secretary of the faculty announced Thursday.
The performer attended UW-Madison in the late '60s and has starred in Broadway hits including ""The Wiz"" and ""The Full Monty."" His accomplishments boast an Emmy for his performance in ""Ain't Misbehavin'"" and multiple Tony-award nominations, including one for his appearance in ""Play On!""
According to Secretary of the Faculty David Musolf, the senior class officers elected by students eligible to graduate selected De Shields from a list of potential speakers.
Last year De Shields returned to Madison for the sesquicentennial celebration where he played stage manager in the Madison Repertory Theatre's production of Thornton Wilder's ""Our Town.""
He has starred in films and television programs with a slew of famous faces, including Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gene Hackman and Bill Cosby.
De Shields, who received and honorary UW-Madison degree in 2004, will speak at both the 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. ceremonies Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20.
