Craigslist Founder to Speak at Convocation

During next month's commencement convocation, UC Berkeley's graduating students will listen to the man who has helped many of them find apartments-Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist.org.

Newmark is set to address thousands of graduates at the commencement convocation at the Hearst Greek Theatre on May 13. He said he hopes to encourage the class of 2008 to engage in politics and pursue grassroots change.

"I like a lot of what Berkeley does, both now and in the past," he said. "This year is a big deal in the evolution of American democracy-ordinary people are getting involved in the process and changing it from the bottom up. The more people of good will spread the word, the more we can get done."

Craigslist began in 1995 as an e-mail list for Newmark's friends in the Bay Area, according to the site. Since then, it has grown into an online database of classified advertisements for those seeking everything from housing to romance.

Newmark was invited by a committee of students within the Senior Class Council, part of the Californians, said senior Katherine Nguyen, vice president of the May commencement.

Commencement officials said Newmark's creativity would help inspire the graduating class.

"Craig Newmark continues to provide philanthropy in his community such as promoting public diplomacy and new forms of media like participatory journalism," said Californians' overall student director Hao Feng in an e-mail. "His social activism and entrepreneurship will provide much insight for future Cal alums."

Chancellor Robert Birgeneau has spoken at the spring ceremony for the last two years. In spring 2007, he substituted for actor Danny Glover, who announced he would not cross the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 picket line until the university increased custodian wages.

That ongoing dispute is set to reach an agreement in 2009, Nguyen said. Until then, she said the protesters' presence has discouraged the campus from inviting high-profile politicians and actors, such as UCLA's keynote speaker, President Bill Clinton.

UC Berkeley does not pay its speakers or grant them honorary degrees.

Following his appearance at UC Berkeley, Newmark said he will speak at Montclair State University in New Jersey.

Senior Joseph Boertje, an English and history student planning to attend law school in Los Angeles, said he hopes Newmark will inspire students instead of promoting his site.

"I hope it's not a business pitch like I've heard before, but more geared toward students and what they're about and what they can do," he said.

But Newmark said he will not know what he will say at commencement until he says it.

"I pretty much always write some notes and wing it from there," he said. "The last thing people need to hear is another prepared speech."

Tags: CRAIG NEWMARK, COMMENCEMENT