Newswise — "Richard Channing" from the '80s TV hit drama "Falcon Crest" will be delivering West Virginia University's 135th Commencement address at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 16, at the WVU Coliseum.
"Channing," or David Selby as he is known in real life, will be returning to his alma mater to address a crowd of some 12,000. Approximately 3,000 students will receive diplomas from WVU this spring.
Born and raised in Morgantown, Selby graduated from Morgantown High School and WVU. He earned a bachelor's degree in business and economics ('63) and a master's degree in communications studies and theater ('65). He also received a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University.
"It's always wonderful to come back home," Selby said recently from his home in Los Angeles. "It gives my wife and me the chance to visit my father and relatives and to see our dear friends. Any time I visit West Virginia, I always get a pick-me-up, or a renewal. I feel re-energized."
Selby, whose career spans stage, television and film, has starred on "Falcon Crest" and "Dark Shadows," as well as made guest appearances on "Ally McBeal," "Touched by an Angel" and "The Waltons."
During his career, he has shared the screen with Julia Roberts, Candice Bergen, Jacqueline Bisset, John Lithgow, James Earl Jones, Jason Robards, Barbra Streisand and other stars.
He is a member of the Cleveland Playhouse Hall of Fame and, in 1999, received the Millennium Recognition Award from The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Alongside his wife, Selby ran a summer children's musical theater in New York for 10 years before moving to L.A. He has also directed numerous programs with youth and has volunteered with scouting and youth sports programs.
Although Selby left Morgantown many years ago, he remains connected with the University and the state. He is an honorary member of the WVU Creative Arts Center's Advisory Board and has worked with the Governor's Honors Academy.
He and his wife, Chip, fund a guest artist series at WVU. In 1989, he was inducted into WVU's famed Academy of Distinguished Alumni and in 1998 he was given the first Life Achievement Award from the WVU College of Creative Arts. During Commencement, he will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the University.
"The University is proud to present David Selby with an honorary degree for having attained national and international pre-eminence in his field and for a sustained record of support of WVU and its goals," said WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.
"It's quite an honor to be recognized in such a way by my University," Selby said. "My wife and I have returned numerous times to various functions at WVU " be it the arts or a sporting event. Never did I imagine coming back for such an occasion."
He added, "WVU encouraged me to be inquisitive. I had some wonderful professors there. The University gave me a sense of confidence that I could pursue a career in the arts, and I am very grateful to WVU for that."
Under the guidance of Professor Charles Neel, Selby got his start in acting at WVU's Reynolds Hall.
"My favorite memories of WVU would certainly include doing plays there," he said. "I found theater, which gave me my career. If not for my training at WVU, I doubt if I would have had a career in the theater at all."
As Selby prepares to return to Morgantown, he reflected on his own graduation and hinted as to what he might say to the Class of 2004.
"I remember my Commencement because my grandmother came to my graduation," he recalled. "As far as I know, I was the first member of my family to go to college. My message for seniors is to be persistent and have a sense of humor. They need to remember that knowledge is something no one can take away from them."
Besides Selby, Meredith Sue Willis, West Virginia author, and WVU distinguished alumnus H. Leo Mehl ('59), director of worldwide racing for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, will be accepting honorary degrees from WVU during the ceremony.
Some 12,000-15,000 people are expected to attend and take part in graduation exercises, receptions and other activities organized by various schools and colleges throughout Commencement weekend.
For complete details, visit the Commencement Web site, http://www.wvu.edu/commencement/.
WVU News on the Web - http://www.nis.wvu.edu/newsroom/
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