Jindal Tells Loyola Grads to Wear "Katrina Class'' Moniker with Distinction

The Times-Picayune ^ | Saturday May 09, 2009 | Darran Simon

[nickcarraway]

Gov. Bobby Jindal made a firm declaration in his speech to more than 800 Loyola University New Orleans graduates today.

"I'm going to start, hopefully with a line that'll get me a lot of support here today. I'm not here to give you a speech about politics," he said to some applause. "There is nothing worse than a commencement speech where politicians come to tell you about all the great things they've done. This is your day, not mine."

Jindal, who received an honorary degree from Loyola, went on to tell students to keep an open mind, seek the truth, dream big and avoid greed. Jindal quoted singer Don Henley and Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and true to his pledge, he kept his commencement speech short -- a little more than 13 minutes long.

He also praised the students, many of whom were freshmen in late 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck, earning the moniker "the Katrina class."

He told students to wear that "distinction" with honor.

"I would be certainly would be remiss if I didn't note this is a class of students who are nothing if not determined," he said. A little more than 300 of 843 of today's graduates, were students who enrolled in the summer and fall of 2005, according to the university.

In an interview before the commencement speech, Jindal said he wanted to congratulate students for "their endurance and their commitment to our city, our state and Loyola University."

During his light-hearted speech, he warned students that knowledge by itself is not power.