Nicholas Kristof, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, will serve as Linfield University’s 2025 Commencement speaker.
Kristof is a columnist for The New York Times, where he was previously bureau chief in Hong Kong, Beijing and Tokyo. He is the author of six books, most recently a memoir, “Chasing Hope,” and, with his wife, Sheryl WuDunn, of the No. 1 best-seller “Half the Sky.” He is the author of several other nonfiction best-sellers, including one largely about Yamhill County and the Linfield area, “Tightrope.” Kristof was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1990 for his and WuDunn’s coverage of China. He won a second in 2006 for columns on the Darfur genocide.
“Nicholas Kristof is a journalist who has traveled the world investigating and reporting on some of the most important issues of the past four decades. More recently, he has reflected on his childhood growing up here, in Yamhill County, and the factors that led some to succeed and others to be left behind,” said Becky Johnson, Linfield’s president. “We’re fortunate to have accomplished thought leaders like Nick in our community. Our graduates will benefit from his insights as they prepare to step out into the world after Commencement.”
Kristoff grew up on a sheep and cherry farm near Yamhill, Oregon, which he operates today as a vineyard and cider apple orchard. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University, he studied law at Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship. His first newspaper job, while in high school, was for The News-Register in McMinnville. After interning for The Oregonian and The Washington Post, he joined The New York Times in 1984. He also has a number of honorary degrees.
Kristof, who has several million followers on social media platforms, is credited in many circles for ‘reshaping the field of opinion journalism’ with his powerful and deeply reported writing.
In addition to his two Pulitzer Prizes, he has also been recognized with several honors, including:
- An Emmy award for a New York Times video “Heartache in the Hot Zone: The Front Line Against Covid-19” in 2021.
- The Goldsmith Award for Career Excellence in Journalism by Harvard in 2013.
- The Anne Frank Award in 2008.
- The Dayton Literary Peace Prize’s 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kristof will speak during Linfield’s university-wide commencement ceremony, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 1, in the McMinnville campus’ Oak Grove. Tickets are not required. The ceremony is also streamed on the university’s YouTube channel (youtube.com/@LinfieldUniversity). It is followed by a traditional pinning ceremony for Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing graduates.
For a full list of Commencement Weekend events, please visit linfield.edu/commencement.
