Issue date: 5/19/08 Section: Campus

"At least I can rationalize that the show is open only to those who really want to be on it and they get to choose the subject matter," he said.

Springer criticized the media for reporting stories without considering the consequences faced by their subjects and warned students they would face ethical dilemmas throughout their lives.

"Think of the ethical questions you will have to deal with," he said. "Will you work with a corporate client who perhaps is polluting? Will you walk into a senior partner's office after having been asked to prepare a memorandum in support of this client's case and say, 'I'm sorry, sir or madam, I have to find another place to work?'"

Springer ended his 15-minute address with a story about his parents, who escaped the Holocaust and immigrated to the United States with Springer and his sister in 1949.

"In one generation here in America, my family went from near-total annihilation to the ridiculously privileged life I live today because of my silly show," Springer said, his voice wavering slightly. "Indeed in America, all things are possible."

Springer received applause as well as a standing ovation from about half the students. Van Zandt and University President Henry Bienen stood to greet Springer afterward.

Reviews of the speech after the ceremony were positive, though some graduates declined to comment.

"It's the only time during the ceremony that I was teary-eyed," said graduate Molly Sorg.

n-merchant@northwestern.edu

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