Anita Hill Will Speak at Wesleyan’s Commencement After First Choice Is Accused of Sexual Comments

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Daniel Handler, the author of the Series of Unfortunate Events books, is stepping aside as Wesleyan University’s commencement speaker, according to an email sent to the Connecticut college by Michael S. Roth, its president. Handler is being replaced by Anita Hill, the Brandeis University professor who in 1991 famously accused Clarence Thomas, now a Supreme Court justice, of sexual harassment.

Wesleyan drew criticism last month after it announced that Handler, who goes by the pen name Lemony Snicket, would give the May commencement address. Handler has been accused of making inappropriate sexual comments toward women working in children’s literature.

Handler’s spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request from The Chronicle for a comment from Handler. A statement Handler wrote on a blog, which was quoted by The Pacific Standard, read, “It has never been my wish to insult any of my professional colleagues. I sincerely, if tardily, apologize.”

On Thursday, Roth announced that Handler would step down as speaker. Hill, a professor of social policy and management and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at Brandeis, will deliver the May address.

Hill testified that Thomas had harassed her when he supervised her at the U.S. Department of Education and at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

“Daniel Handler has chosen to withdraw as Wesleyan’s commencement speaker this May,” Roth wrote in a statement. “We’ve agreed that the focus of the event should be on the Class of 2018, their families, and the celebration of graduation. I’m pleased to share that Anita Hill has graciously agreed to deliver the commencement address.”

Fernanda Zamudio-Suaréz is a breaking-news reporter. Follow her on Twitter @FernandaZamudio, or email her at fzamudiosuarez@chronicle.com.