Coverage of CIA Director’s Commencement Address

George J. Tenet, director of Central Intelligence, will give the keynote address at RIT’s 2002 commencement. Tenet will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science degree during the May 24 ceremony.

Here is key information regarding media coverage of the event:

Notification: News organizations must contact University News Services by May 21 on their plans to cover commencement. University News needs a list of names of all personnel covering the event, such as reporters, photographers, etc.

Key Times: The ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. and media need to be in place by 7 p.m. Tenet’s address will begin at approximately 8:15 p.m.

Where: The ceremony will be held in the Commencement Tent, located in Parking Lot U. Parking Lot U is located south of the Student Alumni Union. Media will have a staging area for seating/filming within the tent.

Identification: All members of the media must wear their press identification badges at all times during the ceremony.

Photo/video opportunities: Photographers will have access to the stage, accompanied by a University News staff member.

Media room: A media room with access to phones and phone jacks will be set up in a conference room in the Student Alumni Union.

NOTE: Tenet will not hold a news conference, nor are there scheduled interviews.

Release Date: Immediate release

George J. Tenet to speak at RIT commencement

The Honorable George J. Tenet, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, will give the keynote address at RIT’s 2002 commencement. Tenet will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science degree during the May 24th ceremony.

Tenet was sworn in as Director of Central Intelligence in July 1997 under President Bill Clinton. With the strong support of President George W. Bush, he became the first CIA director in 28 years to remain in office after the White House changed occupants.

Prior to being named CIA director, Tenet served as deputy director. He has also served on the White House National Security Council and the Senate Intelligence Committee staff.

Tenet, a native of New York City, is a graduate of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Affairs and the School of International Affairs at Columbia University.

The mission of the CIA is to support the President, the National Security Council, and all who make and execute U.S. national security policy. The intelligence gathered by the CIA will play a vital role in the war on terrorism. Tenet will serve on the front lines in this new war.