But Commencement Has Always Been Such a Joyous Occasion!
(Northwestern University grads, circa 1974)
From Inside Higher Ed:
Northwestern University just moves from one controversy to another with regard to this year’s commencement. Many law students are offended that Jerry Springer will be their speaker. And one of the university’s planned recipients for an honorary doctorate, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, was hastily uninvited after he became famous as Sen. Barack Obama’s ex-pastor. As these incidents were debated, the university hinted that graduates would get a big name as the main speaker. Now that the name is out — Chicago Mayor Richard Daley — many students are unimpressed, and some are complaining. The Chicago Tribune reported that one student e-mailed the university’s president and received a testy response. The student, Matthew Braslow, wrote: “If your goal in the speaker selection process was to make graduating seniors happy about leaving this university, then mission accomplished.” President Henry Bienen replied: “”Matthew, grow up…. You also sound like a very unhappy person. I am sorry for that. Hopefully things will improve for you over the years.”
Comments
Dr. Sigelman,Dr. Sigelman! There is no way that Northwestern photo is from "circa" 1974. Those hairstyles clearly predate the Voting Rights Act.
Posted by: Vito Marzullo | June 2, 2008 01:26 AM
What can I say? I took that photo, in genuine Northwestern purple, right off a Northwestern website that indicated that it was the class of 1974. I agree that the hairstyles look more like 1964 (back when I myself had hair). Perhaps Northwestern students in 1974 were a bunch of dorks? (Perhaps Northwestern students in 2008 are a bunch of dorks?)
Posted by: Lee Sigelman | June 2, 2008 07:04 AM
I would have thought it was the job of the university to help its students grow up (meaning, both share some responsibility in that regard).
For the university president haughtily to tell a departing graduate to do so now seems a little late in the offing, and also seems to miss that the failure cuts both ways.
Posted by: Joel | June 2, 2008 02:30 PM