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• 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