Donahue stirs graduation
Speaker's political views mix with traditional messages at N.C. State
By JONATHAN B. COX, Staff Writer
RALEIGH -- N.C. State University seniors got a final lesson in tolerance Saturday before receiving their degrees.
At first drawing laughs with his self-deprecating humor, commencement speaker Phil Donahue soon prompted a cacophony of boos and bravos reminiscent of his TV talk show days, in which he dealt with provocative topics including one show on transvestites during which he wore a dress.
Donahue built on a theme he dubbed "take a liberal to lunch" and used the platform to share his views on everything from the Constitution to media ownership to the war on drugs.
At least 15 of the 3,701 graduates at ceremony at the RBC Center walked out, and some audience members headed for the exits. Others applauded.
"I came here looking for friends, but I also came here looking for liberals," he said after the booing started. "Along the way I obviously have made a few enemies; I didn't do it on purpose."
His approach contrasted with the rest of the event, which was steeped in the tradition of academia. A 58-page script guided Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and other officials through the ceremony.
Fox had to improvise, though, when Donahue finished.
"America is truly a wonderful country when we can be civil even when we profoundly disagree," she said, departing from her prepared remarks. "It is a true mark of an educated person to be able to listen carefully to all points of view."
Among the perspectives expressed by Donahue, who hosted a nationally syndicated talk show for 27 years: No child in public schools should be forced to pledge allegiance to the flag; Charles Darwin, father of the evolution theory, is one of the great geniuses of modern time; the war on drugs is eroding civil liberties and hurting minorities.
He warned that media consolidation will make it harder to find truth in society. And, in an apparent slap at President George W. Bush, Donahue said only Congress, not one man, can declare war.
"I'm here to support the Constitution," he said. "Your job is going to be to bring us back to this original vision."
Peppered throughout Donahue's speech were calls for him to "shut up" and leave the stage. When he concluded, though, some graduates and audience members gave him a standing ovation.
"It was a powerful speech," Beth Rose Murphy of Havertown, Pa., who received a bachelor's degree in psychology, said after commencement. "I didn't quite think it was appropriate for the occasion. It was better on TV than to have at graduation."
Blair Robinson of Durham, who received a bachelor's degree in business management, said he expected more inspiration.
"I came into the graduation hoping to hear some words of encouragement and advice on where we go from here," he said.
Graduates are headed into one of the worst job markets in years. Not only are they competing with their peers, they are up against more experienced, laid-off workers and last year's graduates who still haven't found jobs.
Fox urged the graduates to persevere, despite the challenges.
"There is no shortcut," she said.
Fox gave honorary degrees to Ken Burns, the documentary filmmaker; Cyma Rubin, an Emmy award-winning producer, director and writer; William G. Hill, a leading geneticist; and E. Carroll Joyner, former vice president for real-estate development at Golden Corral.
The atmosphere was festive at the university's 111th spring commencement. Some graduates carried balloons, and many had thank you messages to their parents written on their mortar boards.
Where Donahue might have been short on inspiration, Elizabeth Rose Gutierrez, selected as the student speaker for graduation, stepped in. She urged her fellow graduates to leave NCSU determined to make a difference.
"Please do not surrender to the mediocrity of life," said Gutierrez of Cary. "The world is waiting for you."