[prototype]

I'm not trying to be hustle

Humble?
Hostile?
Hangnail?

Sorry - I'm real busy and my typing skills are not very good:) Spell Check got me. Let's go with 2 - Hostile.

[prototype]

What I meant by that was that it started out as a joke because we didn't think it could happen. We wanted it from the beginning but didn't think it was possible.

who is this we and why weren't the other parties quoted in the News and Advance??

We as in the rest of the group that was involved in the discussion with Jerry Jr and Becki. I think there were around ten of us total.

YOU JUST MADE MY POINT!! 10 people standing around - help determine the speaker. I can tell you first hand that the ladies that are graduating are not loving your selection very much and don't think it is a cool as all you guys. And from what I'm getting from the Alumni - everyone think it is cheezy. It might not be about us and about the current students, but take a survey beyond this board and include females - you won't find that much excitement and it is about us too. It's also our University also - who is going to follow Chuck Norris next year? We have set such a different bar. We want people to take our University serious and Graduation speakers are a big deal - you might not like McCain, but he could be the next President and not many University's get that honor. In my opinion - this is the worst speaker ever - behind Dr. Borek years ago.

[RagingTireFire]

The flip side of that is why SHOULDN'T the students help to pick the speaker? If someone had asked me back in the day, I might actually have gone.

And why is there a "bar"? We're not Princeton and we never claimed to be. We let Dan Quayle speak once upon a time, why not Chuck Norris? Would you object if it were Ben Stein? Probably not but, to a vast portion of America, Ben Stein is a game-show host and a one-word joke from 1986. How about Charles Gibson? Random Politician X? Face it, they're all just talking heads and, given convo 3 times a week and Sunday morning, why not throw the "kids" a bone?

[SuperJon]

Stuart freakin Scott spoke at UNC's graduation.


10 people suggested it. I don't know where it went from there. None of us know if other students were talked to or asked what they thought.

For every alumnus you have that doesn't like it, I've got one saying they do. I know quite a few girls who like the idea of him coming to speak here.

I talked to Libertine about this today. He had Billy Graham speak in his final speech ever at his graduation, and he thinks it's cooler that Chuck Norris is coming here than his graduation.

The people who don't like this move claim they know a ton of people who don't like it and are embarrassed and upset, etc.

The people who do like it claim they know a ton of people who like it and are excited.

No matter who was chosen, there was going to be people who didn't like it. Liberty's full of people who want to whine about every possible little thing.


Most of the people who think of Chuck Norris are thinking of the Chuck Norris facts and Walker, Texas Ranger. They don't look to see that he has:

1.) Been the spokesperson for United Way, doing an eight-minute commercial, which helped bring in over two billion dollars.
2.) Veterans Administration spokesperson visiting over 12 V.A. hospitals and speaking with World War II, Korean and Vietnam War Veterans including one from World War I.
3.) Won the 1998 Epiphany award on Walker, Texas Ranger for the best Christian program.
4.) The Jewish Humanitarian Man of the Year Award.
5.) Been actively involved with the Make A Wish Foundation for 20 years by making dreams come true for terminally ill children.
6.) Motivational speaker for many Christian ministries, such as T.D. Jakes Ministry, Trinity Broadcasting

Not to mention he's one of the leaders against using drugs in athletics and other types of children's organizations. If someone told me someone with those credentials was speaking, I wouldn't have a problem with it. Throw in the fact that it's someone that can make fun of himself and have fun at his own expense, and I think it'll make a great graduation speech.

[Fumblerooskies]

We had KARL ROVE...for gosh sakes.

[JDUB]

yeah, i guess it was really dumb to ask students what they wanted. they should have sent a survey to alumni and let them vote on who would come. after all, thats the only people who matter, right? don't let current students have any input.

i think its great the chuck norris is coming. there is going to be people in every group that don't agree with having someone. lots of people were mad when mccain came for various reasons, so i'm sure several people will get there panties in a wad over this too. but get over it. the student body as a whole likes chuck norris, and this was a good decision to have him come

[ATrain]

Personally I am more interested in who we're getting next year...when I have to walk...again

Prediction: alumni speaker Super Jon

If thats the case...I am sooo skipping...mom and dad will just have to be content with seeing me graduate once then

And for those who don't like Chuck Norris, it could always be worse...LC's graduation last year had the CEO of JCPenny's

[Fumblerooskies]

...and it is JCPenney (note the absence of the s).

25 years from now you'll never remember nor care who your speaker was. I have no idea who spoke at either of mine.

[PastorZack]

nobody beats the speaker we had in 98...the infamous Dr. John Borek...that was classic.

[SuperJon]

I just wanted to point out to you that I first invited Laura Bush to speak at LU's 2008 graduation last Fall. She was unable to come because of her daughter's wedding. I chose Chuck Norris after speaking with Mike Huckabee recently. He and Chuck have become close friends and he convinced me that Chuck was a very thoughtful and intelligent person and a strong conservative Christian . I can't imagine any profession where it is more difficult to remain true to your conservative Christian values than the entertainment field. I was able to contact Mrs. Norris and had a long talk with her about Liberty University and who we were. She impressed me with her genuineness and love for God. I asked my wife to talk to seniors about the idea and I spoke with many as well. The feedback we received from LU seniors was very positive so I sent a formal invitation. The more I read about Chuck Norris, the more I am convinced that he is the right choice. We have had plenty of political figures and religious leaders bring LU Commencement addresses but we must remember that LU is committed to placing graduates in every profession to make a positive difference in the world. That includes the entertainment industry. In fact, we had two students obtain major roles in a Hollywood feature film this week. There are so few conservative Christians in entertainment, I believe we need to recognize, honor and hear from those who have been successful in swimming against the tide! Please keep an open mind.

This was posted by Jerry Jr in the group "We like Chuck Norris, But not for a Graduation Speaker!" in response to all of the negative response.

[PAmedic]

I was supposed to walk in '89 and didn't bother to come back to town. I have no idea who our speaker was the year. But I'm sure he wasn't as cool as Chuck Norris.

wasn't it Ollie North that year? or maybe that was '88.

I'm old and confused.

[JDUB]

I'm an old and confused midget.

fixed it

[mrmacphisto]

25 years from now you'll never remember nor care who your speaker was.

...unless your speaker was Walker, Texas Ranger.

[matshark]

I for one think its freakin AWESOME that Chuck is coming to speak.

My undergrad was Sean Hannity (altogether cool) but Chuck Norris takes the cake! GREAT JOB SJ!!!!!

[Hold My Own]

Doc got a signed picture of Chuck Norris for one of the grand kids....maybe Wes? I'm not sure but he did for one of them about 8 or 9 years ago...anyone with a good memory will remember him talking about it in church.

[Sly Fox]

Ollie was '88 and I remembered that one because it was a media circus.

[jcmanson]

Thanks for posting that Jon.

I think it's awesome that JJ is really reaching out to the students. Sounds like, from some of the old hags, that's what Jerry used to do when he was younger.

[#10]

I,like I'm sure most of you, had to smile when I first heard about Chuck coming. I've grown to appreciate his decency and morality on "Walker". He's been very explicit on the plan of salvation in several episodes. Not even close to typical Hollywood. I've also beecome a little tired of year after year "in your face" politician types being our speaker. They are all big time fine notable people who came to our little Lynchburg. But life is about all kinds of people. I think having a very successful actor with a great Christian testimony is a worthy Speaker. I can't remember if Mr Ben Hur was ever the Speaker but I know he's been here more than once and I didn't hear the plan of Salvation from him. Likewise from Prersident Bush. Billy Graham has to be my all time favorite. James Dobson also great. Clarence - high profile but low on my christian ladder. So think about it. I'd rather have a guy like Chuck who wants to come and is honored to be asked than some big boy doing us a favor. Congrats to Jerry Jr good choice.

[TDDance234]

I think you're all squares.

[gymrat.chic]

Hey, Female here (chic, hence female) and I wish I could have Chuck Norris speak at my graduation. That would be so awesome! Norris actually wrote for a local Christian paper in Roanoke and nobody should be ashamed to have him as their graduation speaker, especially if you've read anything he's written. It's much more intellectual than anyone would think.

[Cider Jim]

This is what Wikipedia says about Norris' Christian faith:

Now an outspoken Christian[10], Norris is the author of several Christian books, such as The Justice Riders. He has also been in a few TV commercials promoting Bible study and prayer in public schools, in addition to efforts to reduce drug use. In 2006, he began penning a column for the conservative news website WorldNetDaily. In his columns, he has expressed belief in Biblical creationism,[11] those who are troubled should turn to Jesus, and is quoted as saying "true patriots" do not stay clear of discussing religion and politics.[12]

Norris serves on the board of directors of the NCBCPS, an organization promoting the use of the Bible in public schools, and also speaks on behalf of organizations advocating official prayers in public schools.

And he is also a veteran:

He then joined the United States Air Force as an Air Policeman in 1958 and was sent to Osan Air Base, South Korea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_norris

[Rocketfan]

By Darrell Laurant

Published: April 2, 2008

You’ve got to hand it to Liberty University.

When it comes time to find a graduation speaker, most colleges rummage through their Rolladexes and come up with a politician or a business leader or a prominent alumnus. The majority of them are crushingly boring.

LU, on the other hand, has moved way outside the box. Its graduation speaker this year will be Chuck Norris, Mr. Texas Ranger himself.

http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/opi ... else/3503/

[RagingTireFire]

In fact, Norris’ wife Gena sent a telegram to the student body saying that God wanted Chuck to be there.

A telegram? Seriously? Was it a singing telegram? Did a bellhop in a red suit and little round hat bring it over? Is Darrell Laurant freaking old?

[LUconn]

I can see the man with a vest and bowtie pulling it off of the wire now

Dear Liberty Students Stop
God wants Chuck to be there Stop
From Stop
Gena Norris (Chuck Norris' wife) Stop

[RagingTireFire]

Then he takes off his FDR glasses and mutters to himself, "Well, whaddya know? If that isn't the bee's knees."