Law school commencement speakers: a modest proposal

Paul Caron has an updated list of commencement speakers. In perusing this list, and thinking about Springer-gate (Northwestern), Tribe-gate (NYU), Schlafly-gate (Wash U), Dann-gate (Case Western), etc, I have to wonder: why don't all schools give the job to a popular local professor, as did, say, Stanford and Notre Dame? Who could have more to say to the graduates? Who presents less of a risk of political distraction from what should be a celebration?

I understand the incentive to use the podium to attract a large donor. But given that the graduation speech is the school's last chance to educate its students, this seems like a sell-out of the pedagogical mission.

Comments

[Supremecourtjester]

He forgot one other controversial choice--Jeannine Pirro chosen by Albany Law School, former DA and former candidate for statewide office whose husband served time for tax offenses related to their joint returns. She's now in line to be the next Judge Judy on the CW network !