8
Campus Opinion
The Campus Forum
Campus debate over graduation speaker continues
Businesswoman and entrepreneur Marion Luna Brem will address the Class of2002,
□ Student challenges
class of *03 to pursue
graduation speaker.
Dear Editor,
1 am writing in response to
the article “Commencement
Speaker” in the April 3, 2002
edition. I heartily agree that
the academic merits found at
Meredith are worthy of
publication.
The article mentions that
Cornhuskin' is featured in area
publications more so than the
quality of our education.
If this is true, then it is up to
the student body to ensure that
events, awardsn and accom
plishments of the students are
force-fed to those publica
tions. Eventually the emphasis
will switch to education
instead of extracurriculars.
Additionally, regarding
commencement speakers,
remember that the class of
2001 invited Elizabeth Dole, a
dynamic speaker who
provided a memorable
commencement experience.
I would like to know what
individuals were sought for
commencement this May?
What early efforts were
made by the commencement
committee to secure an
educated, articulate and
memorable speaker?
If the commencement
committee contacted numer
ous meritorious individuals
and they declined due to the
size of Meredith College or
due to our traditions or the
lack of notoriety, then changes
need to be made in marketing
Meredith College.
However, if the
commencement committee
did not begin the search for a
speaker with aggression and
determination and had to “set
tle” for Marion Luna Brem.
then the fault lies with the
committee and not the quality
of Meredith.
Graduation marks a
pinnacle accomplishment in
the lives of our graduating
seniors. It is a testament to
reaching the mountaintop
after years of dedication, com
mitment, sacrifice, hard work
and determination. The com
mencement speaker should
equal this effort.
If Brem does, then the
commencement committee
should shout her worthiness
from the mountaintop.
If not, then I challenge
the commencement com
mittee of the Class of 2003 to
stand surefooted in the confi
dence of your Meredith edu
cation and seek only those
individuals who exemplify
what we can all become--a
combination of education,
accomplishment and role
model.
Class of 2003, pick a
speaker and don't stop
pursuing until you get her.
Thank you,
Deni A. Fholer
Class of 2002
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at Meredith's Class of 2002
commencement this May.
Brem is recognized as one
of the “100 Most Influential
Students, faculty and staff have mixed views on the
commencement speaker for 2002, Marion Luna Brem.
Commencement speakers at area institutions include Senator
John Edwards at UNC-Chapel Hill and the Washington Posts' s
William Rasberry al NCSU.
Photo Courtesey of the OfFice of Mabketinc and Communications
□ Luna is the
.‘perfect’ speaker.
Dear Editor,
I am writing to concur with
Chri,stine Kelley’s enthusiasm
about the significant
opportunity we all have to hear
Marion Luna Brem’s address
Hispanics in the United
States” by Hispanic Business
magazine.
Her story has been profiled
in The Washington Post. USA
Today, and Reader’s Digest.
Brem is a highly sought after
speaker. Kudos to those who
were able to secure a date for
Meredith on her demanding
schedule.
In response to those who
expressed-that Meredith is
unable to attract “big name”
commencement speakers:
Is Elizabeth Dole
not “prominent” or
“well-known”?
Some argue that Dole
personally benefited from the
occasion with the receipt of an
honorary degree and the
positive publicity preceding a
bid for the presidency.
Are we so naive to believe
that Senator Clinton’s motives
for speaking at Sweet Briar
College and Senator Edwards'
at UNG are somehow less
politically disposed?
In 2000, North Carolina
Senator Betsy Cochrane
was our speaker.
Linda Finch
addressed the class of
1998. Finch is a
successful business
woman, pilot and
renowned Amelia
Earhart expert. She built
a replica of Earhart’s
original twin-engine
“Lockheed Electra"
plane, which she
successfully piloted
around the world, recre
ating Earhart’s fateful
1937 night.
What is the purpose
of a commencement
address? I dare say not
to impress the local
community, which
Brem’s presence will
accomplish among our
citizens interested in
business and/or diversity
issues.
She is the perfect
speaker to inspire and
motivate women to be
confident regarding our
abilities and to strive for
excellence in this era.
She will encourage all of
us, as women, to boldly
confront mighty
endeavors. Although an
engaging speaker,
Senator Edwards would
probably not be able to
challenge our graduates
so efTectively,
It has been proposed that
the reason we don't seem to
attract notable commencement
speakers such as Edwards,
Clinton and William Rasberry
is that Meredith College is
distinguished primarily for our
extracurricular endeavors
rather than our educational
merit. I heartily disagree with
this suggestion.
Dr, Hartford,.Dr. Reichard,
Dr. Jackson, our nationally
esteemed faculty and many
others have worked tirelessly
to build not only Meredith's
academic reputation but also
the reality ,of quality
education found here. We can
boast that we are among the
academic elite.
Secondly, why must we
ceaselessly continue this
maddening debate over
tradition versus academics?
The two are not mutually
exclusive.
Certainly, we can find a
way to enjoy and celebrate
Meredith’s uniqiie traditions
while being respected as the
scholarly institution we are.
Women at Meredith are
privileged to have outstanding
instruction from challenging
professors (not graduate
students or “TA’s”) while
benefiting from the countless
leadership opportunities
available.
A graduate of Meredith
College enters the
professional world with much
more than intellectual
knowledge: she is also
well- organized, efficient,
creative, motivated, assertive,
articulate and philanthropic—
skills and attitudes she
developed not only in the
classroom but as Cornhuskin'
co-chair, as editor of Oak
Leaves or as the secretary of
the College Democrats.
The unique opportunities
found at Meredith College
educate the whole woman,
making her more
professionally marketable in
the twenty-first century.
By the way. I have degrees
from both UNC-Chapel Hill
and NCSU. and 1 cannot tell
you who spoke at either
commencement exercise.
I do remember, however,
that Michael Jordan graduated
from UNC with my class in
1986, and 1 sat beside Cheryl
Jenkins, director of Student
Activities and Leadership
Development, during my
NCSU commencement in
199i, but this information is
not very relevant to our
discussion.
Or is it? I am grateful I
found my way to Meredith
College.
Respectfully.
Carolyn C. Koning
Co-Director for FYE