Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSU looks to students for 2009 commencement speaker ideas, nominations
Abstract:
Suggestions for the 2009 commencement speaker are due Friday.
Chancellor Nancy Cantor will select the speaker from a list given to her by student representatives, including members of the Student Association and the Graduate Student Organization.
Josie Torrillo, special events coordinator for Syracuse University, said the department chose to move up the deadline for suggestions by a month....
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Bruce Skewes
posted 9/18/08 @ 5:17 PM EST
Try shocking everbody with some real diversity. Invite a genuine conservative. I'd suggest Newt Gingrich or best-selling author Rush Limbaugh, but there are a host of great conservatives to choose from. Check out National Review staff and contributors. Oh well, who's kidding whom? The kids are sufficiently brain-washed by the overwhelmingly liberal faculty to ever select a conservative. How unthinkable!
Chip
posted 9/18/08 @ 8:34 PM EST
Originally posted byBruce Skewes
Try shocking everbody with some real diversity. Invite a genuine conservative. I'd suggest Newt Gingrich or best-selling author Rush Limbaugh, but there are a host of great conservatives to choose from. Check out National Review staff and contributors. Oh well, who's kidding whom? The kids are sufficiently brain-washed by the overwhelmingly liberal faculty to ever select a conservative. How unthinkable!
No chance in hell for a conservative speaker. PC organizations (like SU and 90% of US colleges) scream for diversity and tolerance; HOWEVER, the diversity they will accept is only the liberal kind! The hypocracy is just amazing.
Alum 07
posted 9/19/08 @ 9:23 AM EST
It took me about 2 seconds of research to find that Rudy Giuliani spoke in 2002. "No chance in hell for a conservative speaker" ?
In fact, the commencement speakers have been quite diverse over the years, ranging from political figures, to musicians, to broadcasters, etc.
http://archives.syr.edu/archives/history/com_speakers.html
It may be true that a majority of professors identify themselves as progressives, but it does not seem to heavily reflect in the commencement speaker choice.
Besides, in a time of such heated party division, it is not likely for them to select a more controversial figure like Limbaugh, who I don't consider a true conservative in the proper sense. If anything, Gingrich would be a better choice.
Come to think of it, Ron Paul would be an awesome choice.
Bruce - I don't think you're giving the student body enough credit as independent thinkers. They are not brainwashed, and as a student there, I was friends with plenty of kids from around the globe with different political mindsets that _challenged_ their professors, not gave into them.
In fact, the commencement speakers have been quite diverse over the years, ranging from political figures, to musicians, to broadcasters, etc.
http://archives.syr.edu/archives/history/com_speakers.html
It may be true that a majority of professors identify themselves as progressives, but it does not seem to heavily reflect in the commencement speaker choice.
Besides, in a time of such heated party division, it is not likely for them to select a more controversial figure like Limbaugh, who I don't consider a true conservative in the proper sense. If anything, Gingrich would be a better choice.
Come to think of it, Ron Paul would be an awesome choice.
Bruce - I don't think you're giving the student body enough credit as independent thinkers. They are not brainwashed, and as a student there, I was friends with plenty of kids from around the globe with different political mindsets that _challenged_ their professors, not gave into them.
Bruce Skewes
posted 9/20/08 @ 9:10 AM EST
Originally posted bySo after all your research you uncovered one sort-of conservative (pro-abortion and liberal enough to be elected in NYC) out of all the speakers. In this case, the exception proves the rule. He was invited in 2002 because of the sympathy about 9/11 and admiration for his performance on that day. Which leftist is to be the next speaker? Maybe Obama's buddy, the unrepentent weatherman convicted bomber?Alum 07
It took me about 2 seconds of research to find that Rudy Giuliani spoke in 2002. "No chance in hell for a conservative speaker" ?
In fact, the commencement speakers have been quite diverse over the years, ranging from political figures, to musicians, to broadcasters, etc.
http://archives.syr.edu/archives/history/com_speakers.html
It may be true that a majority of professors identify themselves as progressives, but it does not seem to heavily reflect in the commencement speaker choice.
Besides, in a time of such heated party division, it is not likely for them to select a more controversial figure like Limbaugh, who I don't consider a true conservative in the proper sense. If anything, Gingrich would be a better choice.
Come to think of it, Ron Paul would be an awesome choice.
Bruce - I don't think you're giving the student body enough credit as independent thinkers. They are not brainwashed, and as a student there, I was friends with plenty of kids from around the globe with different political mindsets that _challenged_ their professors, not gave into them.
Alum 07
posted 9/22/08 @ 8:56 AM EST
Originally posted byAlum 07
It took me about 2 seconds of research to find that Rudy Giuliani spoke in 2002. "No chance in hell for a conservative speaker" ?
In fact, the commencement speakers have been quite diverse over the years, ranging from political figures, to musicians, to broadcasters, etc.
http://archives.syr.edu/archives/history/com_speakers.html
It may be true that a majority of professors identify themselves as progressives, but it does not seem to heavily reflect in the commencement speaker choice.
Besides, in a time of such heated party division, it is not likely for them to select a more controversial figure like Limbaugh, who I don't consider a true conservative in the proper sense. If anything, Gingrich would be a better choice.
Come to think of it, Ron Paul would be an awesome choice.
Bruce - I don't think you're giving the student body enough credit as independent thinkers. They are not brainwashed, and as a student there, I was friends with plenty of kids from around the globe with different political mindsets that _challenged_ their professors, not gave into them.
Bruce - I'm sorry the recent conservative speaker I mentioned isn't conservative enough for you. Didn't he just speak at the RNC? You won't be happy unless he is a conservative that shares 100% in the party's current views?
Anyway, I still think everyone here is taking this way too seriously. Look down the list: http://archives.syr.edu/archives/history/com_speakers.html
There is not some great liberal conspiracy in these speakers. They come from all walks of life and professions. And I can't state it enough - the students are not inanimate sponges who will absorb and spit out what a speaker (or professor) throws at them.
ryan
posted 9/19/08 @ 9:53 AM EST
Nancy Cantor was not in charge in 2002 when Rudy came up.
Last year the students had a list and Woodruff was not on it, so I would not put much faith in seeing anyone from this years list.
Last year the students had a list and Woodruff was not on it, so I would not put much faith in seeing anyone from this years list.
Olin MacGregor
posted 9/19/08 @ 1:35 PM EST
Nancy Cantor is a left-wing liberal Democrat so if anyone has a notion to invite a politician, unless they are from the Hillary Clinton party wing .. or the Kennedy party wing .. or the Obama party wing -- fugeddaboutit .. Major corporate leadership types or media types might also be okay -- but they have to bring their checkbook because Nancy is a shakedown artist quite the same as Jesse Jackson .. Godda give or we don't want ya here ! Thanks Mom & Dad !
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Olin MacGregor
posted 9/18/08 @ 4:16 PM EST