Disappointing some students and angering conservatives on the campus, the faculty at Butler University has rejected a proposal to invite Chief Justice John G. Roberts to be the graduation speaker this May, The Indianapolis Star reported. But Jeanne VanTyle, a professor of pharmacy practice and president of the Faculty Senate, told the newspaper that a “no politicians” rule, not politics, was the main reason for the decision. Time was also a factor, she said: The process of conferring an honorary degree can take years. This year’s speaker — the Rev. Sharon Watkins, president of the denomination that founded Butler, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) — was nominated four years ago, Ms. VanTyle said.
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5 Responses to Butler U. Rejects Push for Chief Justice as Commencement Speaker
jffoster - March 15, 2010 at 9:39 am
The Chief Justice of the United States is a “politician”? Political Correctness run amok.
crunchycon - March 15, 2010 at 11:02 am
So, they wouldn’t have the President of the U.S. as a speaker, then….
willynilly - March 15, 2010 at 11:18 am
I don’t know much about day-to-day life on the Butler campus, but today I admire and cheer the wisdom and insight of their faculty and any others who supported the faculty, in insuring that the STUDENTS graduation was cleansed of partisan politics. Suggestion to jffoster. While it will be awkward, you need to enroll in a 5th grade Civics class. You need a review of how Supreme Court Justices are nominated and confirmed. You will find that appointments are directly tied to the political process. What they won’t teach though – you will have to do the research on your own – is how much money the Court’s nominees have contributed to a “political” party prior to their nomination. It will be an eye opener.
jc1968 - March 15, 2010 at 4:29 pm
It appears willynilly doesn’t research much considering just last year the governor of Indiana spoke at the Butler commencement. I would hazard a guess he would be considered a person with political connections as well as being well acquainted with politics.So, it appears your applause is in support of only the message you agree with instead of for free expression and association. Carefule when you throw a stone, you may actually be in your own glass house.Pot/Kettle, Goose/Gander, Yin/Yang….
davegillespie - March 15, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Though Roberts was not yet one of the Supremes at the time, ifanyone doubts that theirs is a political body, pull up and reviewBush v. Gore (2000).