[Humble_Opinion]

But what is Liberty known for? Bringing in prominent Republican politicians to speak at commencements and convos.

Well said, totally agree.

I think everyone perfectly understands the University can invite whom they please, that much is crystal clear. I just think that some of us wish LU wasn't so closely tied to politics, mainstream republicans specifically (at least for me). Someone would know better than me, my bet is of the last 10 commencements, 6 or 7 are politicians or those connected to politics such as Glenn Beck. I wish we had more prominent ministers or evangelists.

Gingrich, McCain, Romney, Rove, Hannity, Jindal and Beck in this century. So roughly 50%, higher if you count Fox News correspondent Shannon Bream as well. There were 4 straight at the end of Doc's lifespan.

https://halfabridge.wordpress.com/2012/ ... 12-update/

Bream was invited more because of her status as an alum. She didn't talk politics whatsoever, so I don't think she should be included. On top of that, Ravi Zaccharias spoke for about 20 - 25 minutes before Shannon came up.

I think most people forget that too... they always have the Baccalaureate speaker come and give a synopsis of their talk from the previous night during commencement too. The problem here is that most of you are further removed from campus so you only here and see the headlines related to what the media covers, which these days almost always centers around the stuff you don't like (ie. inviting a politician to speak at Commencement).

I'm just sad that we are going to get spoonfed from an even more Establishment candidate than Romney was. Were it W.... I'd be much more interested, just because he's out of the spotlight and has nothing left to run for, so he would be very gracious.

[Humble_Opinion]

I wish we had more prominent ministers or evangelists.

I think the argument would be: "We do. It's called baccalaureate." We also have many of those speakers in convo. FWIW - I stand by my opinion that the BEST commencement speaker we have had in the past decade was Randall Wallace.

Wallace was a good one, but I also liked Ben Stein at my (second) graduation in 2009.

Stein was quality... Don't forget about Chuck Norris.

[jbock13]

Now you may hear the odd person shouting something, but that is more the exception than the rule.

RON PAUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I admit, part of my dislike is that I hate Jeb Bush, but who's honestly surprised. Glad I don't have to listen. Maybe throw in a few lines about Jesus and you might get a few votes.

[alabama24]

part of my dislike is that I hate Jeb Bush

"Hate" is a pretty strong word.

[ballcoach15]

I think Jeb Bush is a good choice as Speaker. Matter of fact, I told a few people the day after Ted Cruz spoke at LU, that Bush would be sommencement speaker.

[Yacht Rock]

Ballcoach, I figured you'd just want to sit there and watch people graduate peacefully with no commencement speaker.

[ATrain]

Ballcoach, I figured you'd just want to sit there and watch people graduate peacefully with no commencement speaker.

I don't think he has a problem with non-rhymic verbalizations. Though when they start playing Pomp and Circumstance, watch out.

[PAmedic]

Ballcoach, I figured you'd just want to sit there and watch people graduate peacefully with no commencement speaker.

nm. thank you BEEJAY for going over the top

[BJWilliams]

Ballcoach, I figured you'd just want to sit there and watch people graduate peacefully with no commencement speaker.

[alabama24]

Ballcoach, I figured you'd just want to sit there and watch people graduate peacefully with no commencement speaker.

no you didn't. lol

[jbock13]

part of my dislike is that I hate Jeb Bush

"Hate" is a pretty strong word.

The entitlement? Yes.

[Humble_Opinion]

Ballcoach is fine with whomever the speaker is as long as they don't wear a blue suit with a protective mask.

[alabama24]

The entitlement? Yes.

So what you are saying is that Jeb is UNQUALIFIED to be president because of who his Father and Brother are. Huh. That is stupid Jbock. Either he is qualified or he aint, but he doesn't have an "entitled" aura.

I haven't picked a candidate, but it certainly won't be Cruz. Probably won't be Paul (either one). Jeb is a possibility.

[jack_sparrow81]

I`m still confused, I thought you guys said that a republican was speaking at commencement this year

[ATrain]

I`m still confused, I thought you guys said that a republican was speaking at commencement this year

He has the R by his name, and he's to the right of Elizabeth Warren and Barack Obama, probably also just slightly to the right of Warren and Kaine

[Dr. Sheh]

I`m still confused, I thought you guys said that a republican was speaking at commencement this year

[flamesfilmguy]

All I know is I had Ben Stein. and Chuck Norris was shortly after that if not the next year. I really enjoyed Ben Stien. (not only for the Ferris Bueller nostalgia but he was an incredible speaker as well.) Chuck norris I don't think can be topped. since then it seems to have fallen back into the revolving door of R politicians. Thankfully I didn't graduate during an election time.

[Purple Haize]

Ballcoach, I figured you'd just want to sit there and watch people graduate peacefully with no commencement speaker.

I nominate for Quote of the Year

[JakeP50]

Ballcoach, I figured you'd just want to sit there and watch people graduate peacefully with no commencement speaker.

I nominate for Quote of the Year

I second that

[birchbark]

It's impressive that Falwell pulled in two presidential candidates in one semester.

[LUminary]

It's impressive that Falwell pulled in two presidential candidates in one semester.

Not so much when you consider you have a large number of the base in the audience. But I'm not knocking it.

Makes sense for the speaker, who gets a friendly audience; and the audience, who has a chance to see and hear a future president.

What I don't like, at graduation, is a campaign speech. I like Bobby Jindal well enough, and he actually has an interesting and inspiring testimony, but his speech a couple of years ago at graduation was a campaign litany. It wasn't inspiring for the grads, but could have been.

[ballcoach15]

LU normally has a better speaker than most colleges in America. As for 2015, I think Jeb Bush is the best one possible. Cannot think of anyone better, unless it's Sarah Palin or Oliver North.

Ballcoach does think commencement should have a speaker. Now let's be careful and not connect commencement to a ball game. Now granted, I dream of the day when as many people show up for a football game as they do for commencement. Every year I look out over the crowd and think of that day when they're there for football.

[alabama24]

I dream of the day when as many people show up for a football game as they do for commencement. Every year I look out over the crowd and think of that day when they're there for football.

Two thoughts:

1. We should NEVER have as many people at a football game as we have at commencement.
2. I hope we DO have as many people at a football game as we have NOW for commencement.

[VAGolf]

LU normally has a better speaker than most colleges in America. As for 2015, I think Jeb Bush is the best one possible. Cannot think of anyone better, unless it's Sarah Palin or Oliver North.

Palin? North? Bush? Gross.

Instead of turning our graduation stage into the official Fox News pulpit, maybe we could consider inviting someone who may actually say something beneficial to our students?

If for one year, Liberty committed to not having ANY politicians speak on campus, would it really be a problem?

Looks like I'll be skipping my own graduation.

[alabama24]

Looks like I'll be skipping my own graduation.

Good. Less traffic in town. lol