Dr. Wright was quoted as saying that his invitation to receive an honorary degree was withdrawn by Northwestern President Henry Bienen because Dr. Wright "wasn't patriotic enough." If Dr. Wright was quoted accurately, that statement is not true. In his conversation and correspondence with Dr. Wright in March, President Bienen never characterized Dr. Wright's views or made a judgment about them. The letter said, "In light of the controversy surrounding statements made by you that have recently been publicized, the celebratory character of Northwestern's commencement would be affected by our conferring of this honorary degree. Thus I am withdrawing the offer of an honorary degree previously extended to you."
* * *
Wednesday night's statement about Rev. Wright from Vice President for University Relations Al Cubbage:
"Earlier this academic year, acting on the recommendation of faculty committees, Northwestern University extended an invitation to the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, former senior minister of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, to receive an honorary degree at Northwestern's Commencement in June. Commencement at Northwestern is a time of celebration of the accomplishments of Northwestern's graduating students and their families. In light of the controversy around Dr. Wright and to ensure that the celebratory character of Commencement not be affected, the University has withdrawn its invitation to Dr. Wright."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 21
Strange?
posted 5/01/08 @ 11:11 AM CST
So Jerry Springer isn't controversial and can participate in the celebratory nature of an NU commencement because he already holds a degree from NU Law, but Wright cannot participate and IS controversial because he doesn't? Explain this to me again. (Continued…)
Connor
posted 5/01/08 @ 11:58 AM CST
Having listened to Rev. Wright's sermons, I don't think he is the bigot that the mainstream media makes him out to be. That said, I didn't see anything particular new or innovative in his preaching either. (Continued…)
The obvious answer
posted 5/01/08 @ 1:08 PM CST
[cough]Indirect-Northwestern-endorsement-of-Obama-for-president-backfired-and-now-we're-embarrassed[cough]
John Powers
posted 5/01/08 @ 1:53 PM CST
I would assume in Northwestern's campaign for Democratic candidates (Dan Seals etc) that they were asked by the Obama campaign (one way or another) to help keep Rev. (Continued…)
Parks
posted 5/01/08 @ 2:15 PM CST
I am shocked by the actions of this university. I once held it in high esteem, and it is hurtful to think that it would base the giving of an honorary doctoral degree upon the broadcastings of the media. (Continued…)
Sunni
posted 5/01/08 @ 3:21 PM CST
I am very disappointed that the University has withdrawn its offer of conferring an honorary degree on Dr. Wright. In my view Dr. Wright is a great patriot who has played a key role in saving the country from the disaster we would have faced should Mr. (Continued…)
Ted Bedell
posted 5/01/08 @ 3:30 PM CST
Remember this?
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/mccainfalwell.jpg
"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. (Continued…)
tom stallings
posted 5/01/08 @ 4:58 PM CST
Some of you need to get out in the real world.
Should Northwestern retract the honorary degree? Hell yeah! Rev. Wright has the freedom to say whatever he wants, but does not want to accept that there are consequences for his words. (Continued…)
Nick
posted 5/01/08 @ 6:34 PM CST
I think you are all missing the point here. I think the university rescinded the offer because commencement is, after all, about the students. Receiving an honorary degree wouldn't have meant that Mr. (Continued…)
NM
posted 5/01/08 @ 7:26 PM CST
Nick,
No, commencement is not about the students. If it was, they wouldn't have had McCain come to "speak" to the graduating class of '05. He didn't address the graduating class once. (Continued…)
Post a Comment