I’m wondering if this was totally the idea of ND, or was it solicited, at least in part, by the Bizzar’O administration...
Ten to one it originated under the Dome. They (as do most schools in their league) routinely invite the biggest celebs they can think of. The seniors want it this way—it’s part of their prince-charming graduation as wedding ceremony fantasies. In this ND is no different from any school with pretensions to be “in the academic big leagues.”