With just over five weeks until Commencement and the identity of this year's speaker still yet to be announced, rumors are beginning to spread and seemingly take on a life of their own.
Administrators have recently made it known to a handful of students that heavy security will be needed to protect the speaker when he or she is on campus, setting off a succession of theories on the speaker's identity.
A female '97, who did not wish to be identified, said "I've heard there will be extensive, extensive Secret Service." She did not name her source.
James Jarrett '97 said several students with close ties to the administration and a faculty member have affirmed current speculation that Secret Service will chaperone the speaker on his or her visit to the campus.
The figure at the center of most of the campus speculation is First Lady Hillary Clinton.
In the past week Ervin Tu '97 said he has learned from other seniors that former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Hillary Clinton are possible candidates.
Tu said Clinton and Thatcher are popular choices because the College will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of co-education this June -- a fact that leads many students to believe the speaker will be a woman.
Sarah Lenczer '97 said "I'd be surprised if it weren't a woman," in honor of the 25th anniversary of co-education.
"I think it would be shame if it weren't," she said.
Will Hubbard '97 said he disagreed with theories connecting Hillary Clinton to the celebration of co-education.
"I could think of more influential female leaders" more appropriate for the celebration of the 25th anniversary than Hillary Clinton, he said.
Tu speculated the speaker could be "maybe Madeline Albright," though the U.S. Secretary of State is already scheduled to speak at Harvard University's Commencement later this month.
Miranda Johnson '97 said she puts little stock in present hearsay as it lacks much factual basis.
"It's totally random ... I've heard Hillary Clinton a million times," she said.
Nevertheless, until the College makes a formal announcement, the speculation is likely to continue.
And according to a few students who wished to remain anonymous, yet another rumor has begun to pick up some steam -- Salman Rushdie, the author whose book "The Satanic Verses" prompted the Ayatollah of Iran to put out a bounty on Rushdie's life.
Rushdie spoke at Amherst College last month and addressed Bard College's Commencement last year.
