Pat Sajak to speak at Hillsdale College's 2024 commencement

It's no puzzle. Pat Sajak, the host of TV's "Wheel of Fortune" game show, is slated to speak during Hillsdale College's 2024 spring commencement ceremony, officials said.

Founded in 1844, Hillsdale College is a private, Christian liberal arts college located in Hillsdale, near the Michigan border with Ohio and Indiana.

"Pat Sajak gave a wonderful convocation speech some years ago," Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn said in a statement Thursday. "He has done long and excellent service for our College, and he has a serious understanding of and commitment to it. I expect his remarks will be worthy of the occasion."

Arnn and Sajak have known each other for years. The game show host served as a board member at the conservative Claremont Institute in California when it was headed by Arnn.

Hillsdale has long been well-known inside conservative and GOP circles. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, former Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas have given commencement speeches there. Since 2010, Hillsdale has supported the creation of charter schools — publicly funded but privately run schools by licensing its curriculum for free, and providing training and other resources to participating schools.

Sajak, 76, has hosted "Wheel of Fortune" since 1981 and has been in more than 7,000 episodes. He announced in June that this season of the show would be his last.

He has also served on Hillsdale College’s Board of Trustees since 2002. He was vice chairman from 2003 to 2019 and was named chairman in 2019.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

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