Choice of graduation speaker disappointing

Secretary-General of the United Nations. President of Chile. A Duke professor. And now... the GM CEO who happens to be a member of the Board of Trustees. I was extremely disappointed with the choice of Rick Wagoner as the graduation speaker this year. I'm sure he's a very intelligent man and possibly an engaging speaker, but he is not the type of person I was hoping to hear speak at my graduation, given previous commencement speakers.

I question why Duke was not able to look beyond the Duke community for a speaker. Were others asked to speak and declined, or did the commencement committee think that this was the type of speaker students wanted to hear? If it's the former, I would like to know who they sought. If it's the latter, I can't help but wonder why more student input was not sought. We were asked to nominate speakers, but that was the last I ever heard of it. Perhaps in future years, seniors could vote on a list of possible speakers so we get to hear someone speak at our graduation who we wanted.

Oh well, at least I got to hear former Secretary of State Colin Powell speak when he came to Duke last year. Oh wait...

Katie Zimmerman

Trinity '07

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