Obama fills in for Kennedy at Wesleyan

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (AP) — Instead of getting their commencement address Sunday from Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, graduates at Connecticut's Wesleyan University will be hearing from a stand-in, Sen. Barack Obama.

The Democratic presidential front-runner is substituting for his ailing Senate colleague. Kennedy bowed out after being diagnosed last week with a malignant brain tumor and asked Obama to speak instead.


Kennedy's stepdaughter is a member of this year's graduating class at Wesleyan. His son graduated from the school 25 years ago. The Massachusetts Democrat has endorsed Obama and has been campaigning for him.

Wesleyan has closed the ceremony to the public, allowing only the grads and a limited number of guests. The school is also banning any campaign material from the event, along with such items as glass bottles and fireworks.