The College of Communications Class of 2013 has chosen their Spring commencement speaker. George Bodenheimer, the executive chairman of ESPN, will speak to the graduates about his experiences as a cable industry pioneer, as well as being the former president of the channel for 13 years.

Bodenheimer, a graduate of Denison University, got his start at ESPN as a mail desk clerk in 1981. He quickly worked his way up through various positions in sales and marketing, before becoming president in 1998. While president, he helped develop and distribute the channel’s other networks, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes. ESPNU, ESPN News, as well as the channel’s website, ESPN The Magazine, and ESPN Radio.

He also has been recognized with many awards, including the Vanguard Award from the National Cable and Telecommunications Association. He has served as a board member of the National Cable Telecommunications Association, Cable in the Classroom, and The Cable Center. He is also a member of the Cable Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 2008. His son James is a student in the College of Comm.

The College of Communications’ graduation ceremony will take place on May 4, at noon in the Bryce Jordan Center.