Letter to the Editor: Statement from 2022 student Commencement speaker

This statement was sent to The Chronicle on behalf of Parkash by Dave Quast, senior vice president of Red Banyan, a crisis public relations firm. 

When I was asked to give the commencement speech, I was thrilled by such an honor and I sought advice from respected friends and family about topics I might address. I was embarrassed and confused to find out too late that some of the suggested passages were taken from a recent commencement speech at another university. I take full responsibility for this oversight and I regret if this incident has in any way distracted from the accomplishments of the Duke Class of 2022.

Editor's Note: When asked about Parkash's statement that she was "asked to give the commencement speech," Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations, wrote in a message that "all students could submit an application along with a concept." He pointed The Chronicle to the call for Commencement speech applications from February.