Those in a position to know won't say on the record whether the opera great will serenade the commencement audience. Charles Dobbs, an assistant to ISU President Martin Jischke, would not comment on the possibility of an Estes serenade, but he did stress the importance of being there.
Commencement is a particularly meaningful time for graduates, their families and friends.
In that sense, this series of commencement and convocation ceremonies are as meaningful as previous ones. They mark a time of ending and beginning. It wouldn't be the first time Estes has spoken and performed at a university's commencement ceremony. In 1994, Estes performed at Drake University. Carla McCrea, Drake's graduation coordinator, said Estes' sister was killed in an automobile accident the night before the ceremony.