Mr. Rogers Causes Stir at Dartmouth

AP via NYTimes.com ^ | 6/6/02

[GeneD]

Filed at 2:07 p.m. ET

HANOVER, N.H. (AP) -- Television's Mr. Rogers greeted many of this year's Dartmouth College seniors daily when they were children, but some are not pleased he will be greeting them on graduation day.

Fred Rogers, of ``Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood'' fame, is this weekend's commencement speaker.

``It's like Barney the dinosaur speaking at our graduation,'' said history major Michael Weiss. ``We're 22 years old and we're getting lectured by a guy who plays with puppets for a living.''

Some student skeptics said they wondered whether Rogers would greet the graduates with a cheery ``Hello, neighbor,'' change his shoes before speaking, or wear his characteristic cardigan sweater rather than a cap and gown.

``I had hoped for someone more awe-evoking,'' said Chris Moore, a graduating philosophy major. ``Some secretary of the U.N., or (Rudolph) Guiliani, or a human rights leader.''

Dartmouth College President James Wright, who made the final choice of the commencement speaker, said a good speaker is someone students can look up to, who can draw from experience and make timely remarks.

Past Dartmouth commencement speakers have included Robert Reich, Bill Clinton, George Mitchell and Madeline Albright.

Rogers, 74, attended Dartmouth for two years during the 1940s before transferring to Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla.

[GeneD]

I think they're doing better already!

[Semper Paratus]

It's going to be a wonderful day in the neighborhood.

[KantianBurke]

They could do worse. My commencement this year was lead by another college's preisdent!

[ScreamingFist]

"Some secretary of the U.N"

Yea, u.n. secretaries are real "awe inspiring". Sheesh, what a bunch of little socialists.

[Tijeras_Slim]

My experience is that Dartmouth Alumni are some of the most self-centered twits to ever roam the cosmos. (Based on a sample of about 15 :-D)

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

If anyone ever listens to Mr. Rogers speak, they will hear an articulate speaker who does not speak down to any audience. The Dartmouth grads should consider themselves fortunate.

[Billy_bob_bob]

These snot-nosed little bastards should be PROUD to have Fred Rodgers as a commencement speaker. He is a very humble and decent man who spent his entire life doing something that had a positive impact on children and families. His show was never mean or crude or insulting to the intelligence of those watching it. No wonder these kids don't like him. He didn't produce "Beavis and Butt-head" or "Jackass" or something more culturally relevant like that. They were "frightened and confused" by the presence of someone who doesn't reek of the stink of our modern culture. What a pathetic bunch of punks.

[elephantlips]

Mr. Rogers has more quality and dignity in his smallest toe than this student has for the potential in his. In light of the recent past speakers, all the more so.

[Maceman]

``I had hoped for someone more awe-evoking,'' said Chris Moore, a graduating philosophy major. ``Some secretary of the U.N.,

Another skull full of mush leaves college with his brain in the same condition it was when he entered. Message to Chris Moore: The only thing that Some Secretary of the UN should evoke in a well-educated person is nausea.

[discostu]

And inspite of all this venom Fred still like them just the way they are. They should be ashamed.

[Tennessee_Bob]

"We're 22 years old and we're getting lectured by a guy who plays with puppets for a living."

And he's probably done more for the world in general than you will ever do.

[hadnuf]

Did you graduate May 10th from Texas A & M? I thought his address was rather good. (The President of tu.)

[cubreporter]

Never judge a book by its cover. They just might be surprised at his message. Perhaps the ones who oppose his invitation should wait to see if they become as successful as Mr. Rogers before making ridiculous statments lik "someone who plays with puppets." :)

[Orangedog]

Sounds like these fools could stand to be exposed to someone a little more wholesome than the klinton administration's policy-wonks of years past.

You'd think these twerps would be so stoned that they would have a problem with a visit to "the land of make-believe." Personally though, I never did like how that King Friday lorded over all of the lesser puppets on that show.

[MrNeutron1962]

It can get a lot worse, my commencement speaker was some career diplomat whose only connection to the college was he got married on a farm the next town over. All I remember is thinking that I was glad I was unarmed. It was just plain brutal.

[latina4dubya]

a few years back, he received a lifetime achievement award during some show--maybe the emmy's... he delivered a beautiful speech, brought tears to my eyes... btw, he was wearing a tux, and looked quite dapper... they may be surprised by Fred Rogers...

[Orangedog]

``It's like Barney the dinosaur speaking at our graduation,'' said history major Michael Weiss.

I couldn't think of a more fitting punishment for unbridled stupidity.

[bloodmeridian]

The Dartmouth grads should consider themselves fortunate.

I've come to consider that Dartmouth teaches one to speak down at people.

[tracer]

The socialists-in-training really would have a cow if they knew more about Mr. Rogers.

Published denials by Mr. Roberts' associates notwithstanding, my friend (a Special Agent with the US Customs Service) swears that he in fact viewed the Mr. Roberts photo and bio in the "hall of fame" at the FLETC "sniper training school" in Glynco, GA a few years back. Word has it that the soft-spoken ordained minister loved by so many children was in the USMC long ago and far away....

[captnorb]

Dartmouth College President James Wright, who made the final choice of the commencement speaker, said a good speaker is someone students can look up to, who can draw from experience and make timely remarks.

Past Dartmouth commencement speakers have included Robert Reich, Bill Clinton, George Mitchell and Madeline Albright.

Speakers to look up To?? Is he serious? You would be looking at two while standing in a pit, and the other two you would be wearing kneepads to look up.....Considering it's Dartmouth, probably so.