Bill Press, former co-host of “Crossfire,” CNN’s dynamic political debate program, will deliver the keynote address during Wittenberg’s 157th Commencement exercises, May 18. “We think Press will offer an interesting perspective to what’s going on in our world around us because of his background as a long-time host of ‘Crossfire’ and being an awardwinning commentator with the Associated Press,” said Marcie McClintic, vice president of the senior class.

“We are fortunate he has accepted our invitation to share his insight with our graduating class.” McClintic, a business management major from White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., joined fellow senior class officers Geoffrey McGovern, president and a political science major from Williamsville, N.Y; J.D. Clark, treasurer and a business management major from Batavia, Ill.; and Mike Pickarski, secretary and an economics major from Springfield, Ohio, in making the announcement.

As co-host of“Crossfire,” Press squared off every night against conservatives Tucker Carlson and Robert Novak to debate the hottest issue of the day. “Crossfire” has been on the air for 22 years. Before joining “Crossfire,” Press enjoyed a high-profile career in government, politics and broadcasting, garnering numerous awards including four Emmys, a Golden Mike Award and the prestigious Commentator of the Year by the Associated Press in 1992.

Press, whose career spans more than two decades, is also a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist with his twice-weekly column distributed by the Chicago Tribune to newspapers across the country. He is the author of a new book titled Spin This in which he explores the culture of spin, what it is, who does it and why, and how it impacts American society.

Press is a highly sought after Commencement speaker, in part because of the rave reviews he has received for his addresses at other universities. A native of Delaware, Press now lives in Washington, D.C. He received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Niagara University and his S.T.B. in theology from the University of Friborg, Switzerland.