MANSFIELD - Author William P. Robertson will be the speaker at Mansfield University's 148th commencement at 1 p.m. Dec. 15 in Decker Gymnasium.
Robertson is a 1972 Mansfield graduate.
"Bill Robertson is a great Mansfield success story," Interim MU President Allan Golden said in making the announcement. "His character, commitment to others and love of Mansfield make him a natural to speak to our newest graduates. We are honored to have Bill speak at our commencement."
After graduating from Mansfield with his bachelor's degree in English, Robertson taught high school English. After retiring from teaching, he created a successful house painting business.
A native of McKean County, Robertson has also been a prolific writer whose poetry, short stories and nonfiction have appeared in more than 500 magazines around the world.
He is coauthor of the popular "Bucktail" series about the famous Civil War rifle regiment, the Bucktails. Robertson's other writing credits include 11 poetry collections, four volumes of short stories, two audio books of horror verse, two French and Indian War novels and a Viking novel.
Also a French and Indian War and Civil War re-enactor, Robertson belongs to the Company I Bucktail unit of McKean County.
