April 8, 2009

CHICAGO – When a Lutheran college in northwest Minnesota chose a commencement speaker for May graduation, it tapped alumna Roxana Saberi. The former Miss Dakota soared as a journalist, filing reports from Iran for the BBC, National Public Radio and others.

Even after Iranian officials arrested Saberi and put her into its notorious Evin prison in January, the college held out hope that she'd be released in time for its graduation ceremonies. Those hopes dimmed April 8 after Tehran's deputy prosecutor charged Saberi with spying.

"None of us can imagine being in Roxana's circumstance," said Dr. Pamela M. Jolicouer, president of Concordia College, Moorehead, Minn. Concordia is one of 28 colleges and universities in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

"I have a lot of confidence in her," Jolicouer said. "This is a woman who has composure, conviction and a great deal of intelligence."

Jolicouer declined to discuss details of the college's contingency plans for a commencement speaker.

"We have an alternative plan that we think will be very appropriate," she said. "But we don't want to announce it because we are still hopeful that Roxana will be here."

Saberi was born in the United States and grew up in Fargo, N.D., with her Iranian father and Japanese mother. Six years ago she moved to Iran, which revoked her press credentials in 2006.

"She, without press credentials, was carrying out spying activities under the guise of being a reporter," an Iranian prosecutor told news agencies. Her case has been sent to an Islamic revolutionary court, he said.

Under U.S. law Saberi is an Iranian-American national. Iran, however, doesn't recognize dual citizenship and regards her only as an Iranian citizen.

Saberi's parents were allowed to visit with her for the first time a few days ago. Her father told the ELCA News Service in March that she had also been writing a book and attending school in Iran. She planned to move back to the United States "for good" by May. He said he didn't know his daughter's religion.

"I have so much empathy for her parents," Jolicouer said. "I just sent them a note asking if there's anything we can do to help."

Tracey Moorhead, a Concordia administrator, noted the "incredible community of friends, concerned people and journalists" advocating for Saberi's release. Among those advocates are U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Sen. Bryan Dorgan, D-N.D., an ELCA member.

The U.S. severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 1979 in response to the Islamic Revolution. President Barack Obama has said he wants to improve relations.

"All of us want Roxana to come home safe and to come home soon," Jolicouer said. "We hope it will be by commencement, but we'll take her any time. This is a wonderful young woman whom we care about."

ELCA News Service