Clinton to give final graduation address at Carleton

President Clinton passed over dozens of invitations from other schools when he decided to deliver the final commencement address of his administration, a potential history-making event, at tiny Carleton College in Northfield, Minn.

Why select a sleepy community whose motto is ''The City of Cows, Colleges and Contentment'' instead of Harvard or Yale for his last hurrah on Saturday?

''He probably wanted a place where he could be more ruminative and speak to a smaller, but highly attentive audience,'' said Michael Waldman, the White House director of speechwriting from 1995-1999.

The president also will address a Democratic National Convention luncheon and attend a Soul Asylum rock concert/Democratic Party fund raiser in Minneapolis during his one-day visit.

But the graduation speech for 423 students will be the main event.