Nixon May Visit Whittier for Campus Q-and-A Show

Richard M. Nixon, Whittier College’s most famous alumnus, may return to campus next month to meet with students as part of a nationally broadcast cable TV series, a spokesman for the college said last week.

The former Republican president has contacted his alma mater about appearing for an hourlong question-and-answer session with several hundred students, spokesman Donald Stewart said. The interview would be taped by New York-based Showtime cable and aired sometime next year. No date for Nixon’s visit has been set, Stewart said, but the college’s student newspaper reported recently that he is tentatively scheduled to come to campus Jan. 14.

Well-known sportscaster Howard Cosell would be the show’s moderator, Showtime spokesman Rich Bock said.

Cosell is negotiating with Showtime to produce a string of specials featuring famous Americans returning to their college alma maters, including comedian Bill Cosby and auto manufacturer Lee A. Iacocca. However, no decision has been reached on the number of shows, broadcast dates or the guests, Bock said in a telephone interview last week. The tentative title of the series is “Cosell on Campus,” he said.

When asked if Nixon, 73, would appear in a segment filmed at Whittier College, Bock said: “It has been rumored, but I can’t confirm it. But we would love to have Mr. Nixon on the show. He is one of the most colorful men of our time. . . . “

Stewart said Nixon’s office contacted the college several weeks ago about the idea. “The college gave it careful consideration and believes it would be a nice opportunity for the students. . . . “

In recent years, Stewart said, Nixon has been the top choice among Whittier seniors for commencement speaker at graduation. But the former president has always declined the invitation.

Nixon enrolled at the college as a freshman in 1930, graduating four years later with a bachelor’s degree in history. His most recent visit to the Whittier campus was in 1984, when he returned for his 50th class reunion.

The college is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and one campus official, who asked not to be identified, said Nixon wants to do the show as “his centennial gift to the college.”