University speechwriter outed … plays it cool

By David Murray, Editor, Vital Speeches of the Day

Universities are the last places where speechwriters are secrets. University of Texas President William Powers Jr.’s speechwriter was outed last month by the school newspaper, The Daily Texan.

Luckily, scribe Avrel Seale said all the right things: He helps Powers find the perfect institutional tone, he collaborates but doesn’t dictate, and he’s more researcher than writer.

“Often my job means doing research and serving as a sounding board,” Seale told the Daily Texan. “I’m the caddy and he’s Tiger Woods.”

Nicely played, Mr. Seale.