For a world-class university, the UW made a very amateur move in the selection of the 2007 commencement speaker.

In case you haven't heard, this year's graduating class will be addressed by our own congressman Norm Dicks (D-Bremerton). Dicks is a great guy, an active and iconic Northwest politician, and I'm sure he's a great speaker, but let's face it, he's not the big name people expect as a major university's graduation speaker.

When I complained about the selection to friends, the response was a consistent, "I don't know who that is." Aside from the statement that could be made about the lack of political awareness among our generation, this speaks volumes. The UW managed to pick, from an entire global population, a keynote speaker whom no one has ever heard of.

Admittedly, the UW's situation was getting desperate. Norm Arkans, the UW's director of media relations and communications, told The Daily, "One of the folks we were interested in — and who had some interest in doing it — it turns out ultimately the schedule wouldn't [allow] that to happen. Then we began to engage conversations with other folks."

The UW was left scrambling at the last minute to find a speaker, so they turned to commencement speaker selection committee member Dicks.

Dicks agreed, having addressed UW Tacoma in 2002. He plans to donate the $10,000 speaker fee he'll receive back to the University.

Dicks has told the Seattle Post Intelligencer he plans to focus on public service and protecting the environment in his speech. Both are worthy, and safe, topics, but they are unlikely to inspire the 39,000 audience members Dicks is supposed to impress.

So, nothing against Dicks and his impressive congressional career, but the UW seems to have missed the point of a keynote commencement speaker this year.

Graduates, after paying and working their way through four-plus years of college, want to show up to commencement and be wowed by a speaker, as opposed to seeing a local man who regularly speaks in the area.

High-profile commencement speakers are a tradition at major universities, too. In the past, the UW has booked playwright August Wilson, writer Sherman Alexie and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Oprah Winfrey just spoke at Howard University after receiving an honorary degree from the historically black college. Former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton will address the University of New Hampshire this weekend. Bill Cosby will speak to New York University graduates.

The list goes on. Graduates across the country are hearing from award-winning scientists, retired astronauts, celebrities and presidential candidates.

UW administration needs to realize that the commencement ceremonies are a culmination of all the hard work graduates have put into receiving their degrees, and a carefully selected speaker should honor and reflect that hard work.

Plus, UW officials should realize that the whole commencement experience isn't exactly fun, especially for UW bachelor's degree candidates. Should I choose to go to commencement, I get to look forward to sitting in Husky Stadium while my family members in the stands peer down at a purple mass and speculate as to which dot I am. The names of graduates receiving bachelor's degrees aren't event called; we merely get to walk across the stage and shake hands with either President Mark Emmert or a dean of a the UW.

The commencement address would have been the highlight of this otherwise unfortunate experience.

While I realize the UW cannot announce the name of each bachelor's degree graduate, it would be nice to see the University honor our achievement alongside that of master's and doctoral degree candidates. A thoughtfully chosen commencement speaker would have done just that.

Reach columnist Amy Korst at opinion@thedaily.washington.edu.