Published: May 21, 2006 10:41 pm         

Evan Bayh addresses DePauw graduates

U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh’s comments to graduating seniors at DePauw University on Sunday sounded less like a commencement address and somewhat more like a campaign speech, with a call for American unity and a “renewed sense of patriotism.”

While there has been no formal announcement, Bayh is considered to be a likely presidential contender in 2008. With that in mind, the national spotlight has begun to seek him out wherever he goes, and his presence at the DePauw commencement was no exception.

The cable network C-SPAN covered the senator’s speech, and plans to replay it for its national audience at a later date, according to the DePauw University Web site.

Bayh, who was born in Terre Haute, spoke to the crowd under a canopy of trees. The commencement ceremony took place at the center of DePauw’s campus, with the audience seated on temporary bleachers and standing on the balconies of surrounding university buildings. The weather was sunny and warm with a mild breeze.

The senator urged students to dig deeper and find a more profound sense of patriotism, in addition to and beyond supporting American troops and saluting the flag.

“Instead, the time has come once again to ask to us to do something more,” he said, adding that Americans need “to begin making tough choices and modest sacrifices.

“What temporary conveniences are we willing to forgo to relieve the energy challenges that will keep us from the future that we want?” he asked the crowd.

“What can we do to meet the generational challenges we face so that we can avoid a situation that means entitlements for us and obligations and debt for them?” he asked.

Bayh is in his second term in the Senate and served two terms as Indiana governor. He graduated with honors from Indiana University in 1978, with a degree in business economics, and received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1981. After clerking for a federal appeals court judge and entering a private law practice in Indianapolis, Bayh was elected Indiana’s secretary of state in 1986.

During Sunday’s ceremony and after his address, Bayh was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Public Service from DePauw University for his contributions and dedication to improving Indiana.

Eric Badley and Reginald Trice, of Columbus, Ohio, were present to see Badley’s sister Valerie graduate. Both men said they enjoyed Bayh’s address.

Badley said the commencement address, although “pretty long,” was very moving.

His cousin, Trice, also found the speech moving. Regarding Bayh as a potential presidential contender, Trice said, “He does have a presidential way about him.”

Evan Bayh is the son of former U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, who ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 1976, but lost to Jimmy Carter.

Evan and his wife Susan have twin sons, Beau and Nicholas.

In May 2000, President Bill Clinton stated, “I hope and expect some day I’ll be voting for Evan Bayh for president of the United States.”

Deb McKee can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or deb.mckee@tribstar.com.