bestselling author to give start address OR

NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — A bestselling author and New York Times columnist will deliver the commencement address at the University of Oklahoma’s graduation ceremony in May.

David Brooks, best known as a columnist for The New York Timeswill deliver the commencement address at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 13 at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, according to OU officials.

Brooks has been a columnist for the iconic newspaper since 2003. He’s also a regular commentator on “The PBS NewsHour” and NPR’s “All Things Considered.” He writes and comments on culture, politics and the social sciences.

“As one of the finest public intellectuals of our time, in his writings, David Brooks inspires us to build community and pursue a life of purpose,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. His profound reflections on society and culture – our values, the importance of personal relationships, defining true happiness and joy – are timely messages for our graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

Brooks has written several books, including The road to charactera #1 New York Times best-selling book that explores the path to a more meaningful inner life and why selflessness leads to greater success.

He recently wrote a second book, The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Lifein which he draws on his personal experience to explore what he sees as the attributes that exemplify a meaningful and purposeful life.

Brooks teaches at Yale University and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

He joined the The weekly norm when the magazine was founded, as editor-in-chief, and worked for nine years at The Wall Street Journal in a range of positions including op-ed editor. He was also a contributing editor to Newsweek and the Atlantic Monthly.

Visit www.ou.edu/beginning for more information about OU’s graduation ceremony.