Thomas C. Hubbard, U.S. ambassador to the Republic Korea, speaks at UA's summer commencement ceremony.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Speaking today at The University of Alabama summer commencement exercises, Thomas C. Hubbard, U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Korea, told graduates the diplomatic efforts under way in the Korean Peninsula are critical to America’s war on terrorism.

“In the aftermath of 9/11, our deepest concern is that nuclear weapons, along with the missiles needed to deliver them, could fall into the hands of dangerous nations or terrorist groups. Thus, our effort to halt North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, through a peaceful process of multilateral dialogue if possible, relates directly to our critical objective of eliminating the scourge of international terrorism,” said Hubbard, a 1965 University of Alabama graduate who today received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the Capstone.

Hubbard said the Korean Peninsula presents sharp contrasts.

“In South Korea, we see one of our closest allies. . .the Republic of Korea has developed into the worlds 12th largest economy and is now a vibrant democracy, able and willing to help us in places like Afghanistan and Iraq,” he said.

“To the North, we see Koreans who are still under the thumb of a communist regime. . . that cannot feed its own people. It has instead devoted its meager resources to the pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. North Korea’s million-man army continues to pose a serious conventional threat to South Korea. That’s why we still have 37,000 American troops there,” he added.

He pointed out that homeland security comes not just from military force, but diplomacy also.

“The security of our homeland begins abroad and rests not only on the bravery and capability of our military forces but also on the skills and courage of our diplomats who build relationships needed to eliminate the seeds of terrorism before it takes root,” said Hubbard.

“I believe September 11, and the phenomenon of international terrorism that spawned it, has taught America an important lesson: even the world’s sole superpower cannot shut out the world. Americans are affected by what goes on beyond our shores, just as what we say or do has enormous impact on life in other nations.

Also during the ceremony, Gloria Narramore Moody, a longtime patron of the arts, received the Julia and Henry Tutwiler Award, UA’s most prestigious award for volunteer service to UA and the people of Alabama.

With this graduating class of 1,000, UA has awarded more than 186,000 degrees since its founding in 1831 as the state’s first public university. UA holds commencement ceremonies three times a year.

Sworn in as U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Korea in August 2001, Hubbard arrived in Korea to assume his duties on Sept. 11, 2001. Prior to his nomination as ambassador, Hubbard was principal deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, and before that he served concurrently as U.S. ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines and to the Republic of Palau.

Born in Kentucky, Hubbard earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from UA, where he was selected for Phi Beta Kappa. He joined the Foreign Service following graduation and served as a political/economic officer in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and later received language training at the Foreign Service Institute in Yokohama, Japan. Hubbard has previously been assigned to positions at U.S. embassies in Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Manila, Republic of the Philippines.

Moody, a 1956 UA alumnus, has devoted much of her life to the development and support of music at The University of Alabama and in the Tuscaloosa community. She and her husband, the late Frank Moody, were instrumental in providing and obtaining funds for the construction of the University's School of Music building which bears the Moody name.

An accomplished pianist, Moody began the Gloria Narramore Moody Foundation in 1990 to support the arts and music, particularly by providing Alabamians with the opportunity to see and hear the world's best musicians. Artists have included bass Samuel Ramey, New York Metropolitan Opera soprano Benita Valente, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Emanuel Ax, and violinist Itzhak Perlman.

She is president of the board of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra; chairman emeritus of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra; and a board member of Opera Birmingham. Moody also serves on the board of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the Birmingham Museum of Art, and the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.