How colleges select speakers

Choosing a commencement speaker is a lengthy annual process for every college. With graduation time here, two colleges in the Albany Diocese shared how they decide who will give that all-important keynote address.

At both Siena College in Loudonville and The College of Saint Rose in Albany, the process begins with generating a list of candidates. (CSR is a private college with a Catholic heritage; Siena is considered a Catholic college.)

Siena's board of trustees, associate trustees and administrators suggest possible speakers; CSR takes nominees from trustees and the wider college community for speakers and for recipients of honorary degrees.

List of possibilities

Some candidates are on Siena's list year after year, according to community and public affairs vice-president David Smith. He said that a candidate who has a prior commitment one year may agree to be considered for a future date.

The board of each college, made up of about three dozen people, narrows down the list of candidates and makes the final choice. At Siena, the board consults with college president Rev. Kevin Mackin, OFM.

Budget isn't a factor in coming to a decision; neither college pays commencement speakers.

Qualifications

Before choosing a speaker, however, each college has certain considerations for worthy candidates. CSR public relations director Lisa Haley-Thomson said that her college's board debates what candidates will be able to share with graduates, how they will inspire people with their experiences, and what their contributions have been to their respective fields and society as a whole.

Mr. Smith called the process of narrowing the field of Siena speakers "tricky. We look for individuals whose ideals and actions reflect the Catholic education and Franciscan heritage of the college."

Siena's board also looks for a connection between the speakers and the college.

Controversy

Ms. Haley-Thomson said that freedom of speech is critical at CSR, whose past speakers have ranged from anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean to NBC newsman Tim Russert.

This year's commencement speaker at CSR was New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a selection criticized by some people because of his pro-abortion stance.

"We don't specifically look at every person's stand on a variety of issues," Ms. Haley-Thomson explained. Instead, the college evaluates the candidate's message to graduates and how his or her educational experience contributed to a successful career.

"This is an academic institution, and academic freedom is a core value," she added. "We revere our roots in the Roman Catholic tradition, and we think that's evidenced in our Office of Spiritual Life and service in the community."

Cardinal rule

Mr. Smith could not recall a controversial speaker ever having given a commencement keynote at Siena. This year's speaker was renowned scholar and ecumenist Cardinal Avery Dulles, SJ.

If someone did object to a particular speaker, Mr. Smith continued, "they can certainly voice their opinions [to the board and Father Mackin], but you can't please everyone."

Ms. Haley-Thomson believes that regardless of their views on certain issues, "the purpose of commencement speakers is to inspire graduates with their message of living a life balanced with service to the community and career success."

(5/15/03) [[In-content Ad]]