Alejandro Junco de la Vega, award-winning Mexican journalist, publisher, and Internet provider, was the recipient of an honorary doctor of humanities degree from MSU during 2000 Fall Semester Commencement. He was lauded for having "used the power of information to raise the quality of journalism in Mexico and the level of democracy in Latin America" throughout his distinguished career.

Mr. Junco de la Vega also gave the commencement address at one of two baccalaureate ceremonies on December 9. In his speech, he credited MSU Professor Emeritus Mary Gardner with teaching him "the techniques of free and principled journalism." He charted the course of his journalistic career in Mexico and stressed to the graduates the importance of such qualities as perseverance, integrity, creativity, and respect for other people in making the most of their future lives. In his concluding remarks, he said, "In your own way, I don't doubt that you will be finding many methods to tell old truths in fresh and compelling forms."