Children’s television show host

“Mister Rogers” to speak at Middlebury College’s commencement May

27

MIDDLEBURY, Vt.—Fred Rogers, creator

and host of the PBS children’s television show “Mister Rogers’

Neighborhood” the longest running show on public television?will

deliver the commencement address at Middlebury College’s graduation

ceremony on Sunday, May 27. He will receive an honorary Doctor of

Letters degree.

“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” which

debuted nationally in 1968, is carried by more than 300 PBS stations

and reaches more than four million viewers each week. There have been

almost 900 episodes of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Rogers ended

production of his show this year in January.

According to Middlebury College

President John M. McCardell, Jr., Rogers is one of the most

influential figures in the history of children’s television.

McCardell said, “Fred Rogers has never wavered from his belief that

showing love and compassion to our children is the single most

important element in their lives. We are honored to recognize his

positive influence on generations of youngsters.”

An ordained Presbyterian minister,

Rogers began his television career as a production assistant at NBC

following his graduation from college in 1951. In 1953, he moved back

to his native Pittsburgh at the request of WQED, the nation’s first

community-supported public television station. Rogers developed the

station’s first programs, including, “The Children’s Corner,” a

forerunner to “Mister Rogers.”

In 1966, “Mister Rogers” aired on

WQED in its current half-hour length. Two years later, PBS made the

show available for national distribution.

Rogers has received every major award

in television for which he is eligible, including two George Foster

Peabody Awards, Emmys, “Lifetime Achievement” Awards from the

National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the TV Critics

Association, and many others from special-interest groups in

education, communications, and early childhood. In 1999, he was

inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

Rogers is chairman of Family

Communications, the nonprofit company that he formed in 1971 to

produce “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and that has since diversified

into non-broadcast materials that reflect the same philosophy and

purpose as the show: to encourage the healthy emotional growth of

children and their families.

Rogers has a special connection to

Middlebury College. Conductor of the College choir and Twilight

Artist-in-Residence François Clemmons performed the role of

the friendly police officer, Officer Clemmons, on “Mr.Rogers’

Neighborhood” for 25 years. Clemmons, who created the role, often

sang on the show, drawing on his experience as an opera singer and

the founder of the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble.

According to Clemmons, Rogers is a

unique human being who taught him a great deal about life, loyalty,

and friendship. “I wouldn’t be the artist I am today if I hadn’t

experienced his message of love and understanding. I’m sure that I

can say for myself and the many students who watched him all during

their youth that we are excited and honored that he has decided to

share our commencement celebration. It’s one I know we’ll remember

for years to come,” said Clemmons.

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