John McCain to speak at Ohio State's spring commencement

COLUMBUS – U.S. Senator John McCain will be the speaker for Ohio State's spring commencement, set for Sunday, June 11, at Ohio Stadium.

About 7,000 graduates will receive degrees at the ceremony, which begins at 1 p.m. Graduates and guests can find complete information on the ceremony at http://www.osu.edu/commence/

"Our graduates are fortunate to have Senator McCain deliver the spring commencement address and we are gratified that he has accepted our invitation," said President Karen A. Holbrook. "He has a distinguished record of bravery and service to his country and I'm sure his words will mean a great deal to our students."

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to deliver The Ohio State University's commencement address," Sen. McCain said. "Ohio State is consistently recognized as one of our nation's best public universities. With a faculty committed to students' academic success and graduation rates continually on the rise, the state of Ohio is fortunate to have this impressive institution call it home."

The son and grandson of Navy admirals, McCain followed their footsteps to the United States Naval Academy. Following his graduation in 1958, he was commissioned an ensign in the Navy and trained to become an aircraft carrier pilot.

In 1967, Lt. Commander McCain was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal off the coast of Vietnam. He survived a shipboard fire that took 134 lives. Three months later, his plane was hit by a missile after a bombing raid. He ejected and landed close to the bombing target. He was captured, beaten and taken to the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" where he remained a prisoner of war for 5 and a half years.

He began his political career in 1982, winning election to Congress representing what was then the first congressional district of Arizona. In 1986, he was elected to the United States Senate. Senator McCain is currently the senior senator from Arizona.

His political objectives have included making government smaller and taxes lower. He has campaigned against wasteful spending in Washington and against using Social Security funds to pay for new government programs. He has also advocated for reform in campaign and lobbying laws.

In 2000, McCain ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for President of the United States. He is currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and serves on the Armed Services, and Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committees.

The Arizona senator was invited to speak by Ohio State's Commencement Speaker Committee, which is made up of students, faculty and staff.