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• I have some questions: Did you hear personally from NYU students who are disappointed? Did you get it second-hand? Or are you just inferring it? If they are definitely disappointed, is it because she's not enough of a "celebrity?" Or is it because they think that having her is a tacit recognition that Princeton is superior to NYU? Would the President of Harvard be good enough for them? How about the Pope? Would Paris Hilton be better? (NT) -- Ram'98, Thu April 28, 2005 13:32:50
  • Check out the URL. (NT) -- Tortfeasor'03, Thu April 28, 2005 13:46:31
  • Who cares? If the president of a major ivy league university isn't good enough for these students (or if she gives them status-anxiety because they didn't go an Ivy school), my response would be "Tough!" I'm totally put off by these kids who feel that they're entitled to some "big name" speaker, and who turn up their noses at distinguished scholars and educators? Let them hold their own alternative graduation, and invite whatever speaker(s) they want. (NT) -- JC'68, Thu April 28, 2005 13:51:41
  • I love how everyone infers that celebrity is what we students want. It is quite the contrary. We want someone who can challenge and stimulate us with a speech that will give us fervor as we enter the real world. Fordham students are upset with the choice of John Sexton because a lot of students would have gone to NYU if they wanted to hear John Sexton speak. The heart of this matter is NOT spoiled kids looking for an autograph, but rather young men and women who have an identity in their school and who want the very best for their school. After a bit of research, I think John Sexton will give a lovely speech, but as my old baseball coach told me,"It's ok to be happy, but never be satisfied." I will not be satisfied until Fordham brings in the very best speakers around the country for the students to follow my graduating class. (NT) -- Ram6it, Thu April 28, 2005 21:50:06

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• Maybe Dr. Tilghman will say something important that the NYU graduates should listen to carefully, just as John Sexton will provide insights that will be valuable to Fordham grads. If the students want celebrity chit-chat, they can watch the "E" network. (NT) -- John, Thu April 28, 2005 13:47:50
  • What particularly annoys me about the Sexton flap at Fordham is that the complainers are dumping on a three-time graduate (B.A., M.A., Ph.D) OF THEIR OWN UNIVERSITY. I'm sure John Sexton will prove to be a fine speaker. When I had him for a freshman theology course back in '65, I found him to be a dynamic teacher, and the only graduate assistant I had who really poured himself into teaching introductory courses. Aside from his speaking abilitiy, Sexton is being honored by Fordham for his broad-ranging accomplishments. He has been a scholar of religion and of the law, an entrepreneur (he founded a chain of test-preparation centers), an educator, a law school dean, and a university president. The people who are complaining about him would be fortunate if they achieved in ONE field of endeavor what he has in multiple ones. More.... (NT) -- Ram'69, Thu April 28, 2005 17:55:28
    • ....It's understandable that some students might prefer a more "famous" speaker. But--now that John Sexton has been scheduled--he clearly shouldn't be "disinvited." Under the circumstances, the graduating students should put aside whatever hurt feelings or disappointment they're experiencing, and give this man the respect that he is due. I'd hate to think John has been reading any of these posts or other complaints that have been circulating. As one of Fordham University's most accomplished alumni, he deserves better treatment than he has been getting. (NT) -- Ram'69, Thu April 28, 2005 18:13:15
      • Ram'69, I agree with your main points, but I think you go too easy on these seniors. They strike me as a bunch of brats who grew up in a culture of entitlement. They expect everything to be handed to them, and sneer at a man who achieved a great deal on his own. Their talk about "bragging rights" and about not "bowing down" to "competing" schools is juvenile. I'd expect soon-to-be Fordham grads to be more appreciative of real accomplishment, more secure in their own intellectual status (instead of worrying about about how FU compares to NYU), and less awed by celebrity. If they don't think John Sexton is good enough for them, let them march over to the Botanical Garden and run their own graduation. (NT) -- JCC, Thu April 28, 2005 18:37:26
        • Great post, Ram'69. Today students want a headliner to give their commencement addresses. Contrast that with the Fordham Commencement of 1984. Twenty one years ago, the students actually suggested, as one their proposed commencement speakers, retiring university president Rev. James Finley, a proposal accepted by the school. Fr. Finley was plainly honored by the gesture, saying in his address that he considered himself "forever a member of the class of 1984." I just don't think this would happen today. (NT) -- JoltinJoe, Fri April 29, 2005 07:15:45
          • I think it's attributable to 24-hr news shows and C-Span. Commencements are covered like never before so you can see a commencement address at Harvard or Michigan or Stanford and see the President or some other high profile public figure delivering the address. People start to identify the profile of the speaker w/ the level of the university. By getting a high profile speaker, people think the quality of the school is being affirmed. Personally, given the events of the past month, I think Cardinal Dulles would have been one of the best choices but no one could have foreseen the events of April '05 and arranged a commencement speaker for May based on them. (NT) -- bfg, Fri April 29, 2005 07:51:07

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• It is not about getting a "big name" speaker. I don't think college grads are looking for a celebrity like Tom Cruise or someone like that. But I would imagine that those who are disappointed feel so because a commencement is a celebration of that particular institution, so why invite the head of a competing institution? (NT) -- d. atkins '02, Thu April 28, 2005 16:54:59
  • Because the head of that competing institution has several degrees from Fordham, he probably has some interesting insights, and higher education is a distinguished profession worthy of career consideration? (NT) -- DamnRam, Thu April 28, 2005 17:11:35

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• RAM69-Well stated. I think everyone should seriously consider your statement on this issue. Thank You. (NT) -- FC, Thu April 28, 2005 18:38:02