Duke Will Give Class Day Talk

Democratic Presidential hopeful Gov. Michael S. Dukakis has accepted the senior Class Committee's invitation to deliver the 1987 Class Day address, committee members said yesterday.

Class marshals announced Sunday that the Governor had been asked to speak, but did not confirm that he would appear until yesterday.

The class marshals have said that Dukakis--a 1960 Law School graduate and former Kennedy School lecturer--will speak about his personal experiences, his vision for the future and the opportunities facing this year's graduating class.

Some students, including several on the committee, said that the choice of Dukakis, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the Presidency, is an inappropriate one because the tone of the Class Day speech should be light and non-political.

But members of the Class Committee defended the choice. Chairman of the Class Day speaker search committee Seth Goldman '87, who managed Dukakis's campaign among Harvard students said, "Because Dukakis is from the area, it is easy to take him for granted, but his achievements and character have earned him national attention."

Goldman said that the committee invited Dukakis before he decided to run for President.

Radcliffe First Marshal Susan Doherty '87 praised the Governor who is now in his second term. "We trust that his example of leadership will provide an inspiration to all of us graduating seniors as we embark upon our respective careers," she said.

Flora Houn '87, a committee member, said the committee had invited one or two "light and happy" speakers before talking to Dukakis.

Class Day, geared toward graduating seniors and their families, occurs the day before Commencement. The Dukakis speech will culminate a series of activities for seniors arranged by the Class Day Committee. This Sunday seniors can participate in the first such activity, a "reunion at the Union," committee members said yesterday.