When The Lantern listed the speakers of the last five years alongside of Bill Hall’s acceptance to speak at commencement, I knew it would incite students to criticize the decision. I expressed my concern to a professor, a faculty member for over 30 years, and he responded, “Others see it a different way. It is an honor for Hall to be considered on the same level as these people.”
I am angered and disappointed by the criticism of my fellow graduates. If students do not appreciate the work Hall has done for us, then it is their own apathy and ignorance at fault. Students can find no reason to criticize the decision to name Hall commencement speaker except that he is not a celebrity, an argument I find immature and petty.
Like all seniors, I am looking forward to graduation. However, I am more excited about completing my college education and tackling my future, than about a famous commencement speaker. Commencement is the culmination of the years spent at Ohio State, the hours spent in the library, the friends and memories, the Buckeye spirit and the possibility of the future, not celebrity speakers.
Hall is the best choice for a commencement speaker and he goes far beyond being the “ultimate Buckeye.” Bill Hall is Ohio State and Ohio State is Bill Hall. Four years ago, I chose this university because of the Buckeye spirit and pride, and it is for these emotions that I would rather hear the heartfelt and sincere words of Bill Hall, a man who bleeds scarlet and gray, than any celebrity.
In the words of my professor, “I don’t always agree with student opinions in The Lantern, but when I read about Hall being commencement speaker, I realized the students had truly gotten something right.” Asking Hall to be commencement speaker is not out of sympathy or because other celebrities have declined, but because it is right. He is a man that pillow fights with students in the rain, and sacrifices a Christmas with family to visit OSU students serving abroad in the armed forces. He has dedicated his life to OSU and we as Buckeyes owe to him the success and enjoyment of our college years. It is my belief that the best gift Hall will ever give to us will be on June 12.
Alison McCartneySeniorEnglish and SpanishPresident, Mortar Board Senior Class Honor SocietyPress Director, Undergraduate Student Government
