CASTLETON, Vt. (AP) - Capt. Richard Phillips will deliver the commencement speech at a Vermont university.
The Rutland Herald reports (http://bit.ly/1nYPMQN ) that the former captain of the Maersk Alabama will speak at Castleton University in May. His daughter was enrolled as an art major there when he was kidnapped by Somali pirates.
He was portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 2013 film "Captain Phillips," which details the hijacking off the coast of Somalia. Phillips spent five days as a prisoner at sea before he was rescued by U.S. Navy SEALS in 2009.
In the opening scene of "Captain Phillips," a Castleton sticker can be seen on Phillips' van.
President David Wolk says the university is honored to have Phillips share some of his life experiences in his commencement address.
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Information from: Rutland Herald, http://www.rutlandherald.com/