The year I graduated from NC State, Phil Donahue was the commencement speaker. I skipped the event, instead attending my small departmental graduation. But reports from my fellow students informed me that I missed some fireworks—liberal talking points, taunts from the crowd, and a few students walking out. I think I made the right decision.
Simply put, I have never understood the appeal of the long, hot, university-wide graduation ceremony. Speeches by celebrity talk show hosts, local officials, or even decorated members of the military can do little to save the event. I have always suspected that other feel the same.
And now, at least one university is addressing at least part of the problem. Bradley University in Illinois recently announced that it would no longer invite outside speakers to its commencement ceremony—a move that will help save money, time, and controversy.
In today’s Pope Center article, Stephanie Keaveney details what some schools have chosen to do for the big day. Most universities, she reports, have tried to steer clear of controversy. But the predictable mix of local notables and successful business people still lacks viewpoint diversity.
Keaveney observes: “It’s possible that the relatively calm season is the result of well-publicized controversy in previous years, as universities appear to overwhelmingly exclude conservative speakers from commencement ceremonies. A 2015 study from the Young America Foundation found that, of the top 50 universities ranked by US News and World Report, the ratio of liberal to conservative speakers was nine to one.”
To find out who will speak at your alma mater, click here.
This post is by Jenna A. Robinson, president of the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy
Jenna A. Robinson
Perhaps you should have attended the Phil Donahue was the commencement speech. The issues Phil Donahue spoke on are still with today but history has proven him right on many of those topics.
Here’s a little of what you missed which has proven to be correct.
“Donahue told the graduates that the rights and privileges in the Constitution have been eroded.”
He said “only Congress can declare war and not the president.” He said “basic liberties are being undermined by the war on drugs and by a “trend toward to the sword rather than a trend toward civility.”
“Donahue, 67, urged the graduates to help renew basic American constitutional values of free speech, separation of church and state, and respect for the rights of minorities.
“Your mission is to challenge your public servants and bring America back to basic constitutional values,” he told the students.
“He urged political conservatives to be tolerant of those with differing views.
“Take a liberal to lunch,” he said. “Take a Dixie Chick to lunch.”
Jenna A. Robinson you still need to have lunch with a liberal, be my guest sometimes.
Lying Lonnie,
Ever hear of the Dixie chicks anymore?Since they ran their mouths like you and Target,you never hear of them anymore.People are sick of you loud mouth queers.
Larry
Authorterians are like that, as was the Jim Crow Era. The. Dixie Chicks were right as was Phil Donahue. Liberals are not too lazy to think.