Prince El Hassan bin Talal, a Jordanian royal known for his advocacy of religious dialogue and international peace, will address the graduating Class of 2006 at the University's 55th commencement ceremony May 21.Bin Talal will receive an honorary degree, along with acclaimed playwright Tony Kushner, Marilyn Horne, Blenda Wilson, Judith and Sidney Swartz and Mimi Silbert, the University announced April 20 in an e-mail to the graduating class.

Prince El Hassan, the youngest son in the Jordanian royal family and brother to the late King Hussein, is the author of seven books and an internationally recognized promoter of interfaith dialogue. According to his Web site, he serves on a number of committees and organizations working on humanitarian and religious issues, including the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue at the Vatican and the Club of Rome, an international think tank.

John Hose, Executive Assistant to University President Jehuda Reinharz, called El Hassan an "outstanding selection" whose work for international peace sends "exactly the right message."

"It is a reflection of the University's commitment to social justice, peace and greater understanding of different groups of people," Hose said.

Muslim chaplain Imam Talal Eid said the decision to bring El Hassan to campus was a "courageous" one. He said the prince presents a peaceful image of Islam, which is important for people to understand.

"There are radicals, but there are [also] many peaceful Muslims such as Prince El Hassan and you need to hear that voice," he said.

According to a University press release, playwright Tony Kushner will be honored for his work in theater and on the silver screen. Kushner's epic "Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes" won multiple honors including the Pulitzer Prize for drama and two Tony Awards and was adapted into an HBO movie in 2003. Last year, his screenplay for the Steven Spielberg-directed film Munich garnered five Academy Award nominations.

Mimi Silbert will receive an honorary doctorate for her humanitarian work as co-founder and president of the Delancey Street Foundation, a residential facility for drug addicts, ex-criminals and the homeless.

Philanthropist and Timberland chairman Sidney Swartz and his wife Judith in 1989 created the City Program, which gets youths involved in community service projects, according to the press release. The Swartzes have also donated to many Jewish institutions including Solomon Schechter Day School, Hebrew College and the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged.

The University will acknowledge educator Blenda Wilson, the chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and president and chief executive officer of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. Wilson has also served as president of California State University, Northridge and chancellor of the University of Michigan, Dearborn.

The final honorary degree recipient opera singer Marilyn Horne, has worked in the opera world as a mezzo-soprano for more than 50 years.