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UMW students debate Gingrich's selection
University of Mary Washington students mixed on Newt Gingrich
Date published: 3/22/2007 BY JEFF BRANSCOME A group of University of Mary Washington students recently dedicated a Web site to Newt Gingrich, this spring's commencement speaker. It shows an altered picture of the Republican with fangs and trickles of blood at the corners of his mouth. His face is crossed out. "No Gingrich at Commencement," the Facebook page states. The polarizing public figure's scheduled appearance has riled up some at the university, while others are excited about hosting a possible presidential contender. UMW alumnus Joshua Morris has launched a pro-Gingrich Web site. He calls him a "historic figure." Still, some students wish the university had solicited their feedback on potential candidates. "It's our graduation. It's our celebration. I feel we should have a say in who is speaking," said senior Amber Moore. But it's not like the former U.S. House of Representatives speaker will give a partisan speech, others say. "I was hoping this kind of thing wouldn't get so politicized" by students, said UMW senior Andrew Lamar, chairman of the College Republican Federation of Virginia. Over the last five years, UMW has invited two Republicans and one Democrat to address spring graduates. State Sen. John Chichester, a Republican from Northumberland who heads the powerful Finance Committee, spoke in 2002. House Speaker Bill Howell, a Stafford County Republican, gave UMW's commencement speech in 2003. He will introduce Gingrich to students on May 12. Gingrich also is lined up to be the spring commencement speaker at Liberty University in Lynchburg. UMW is not paying him to come, a university spokeswoman said. During his 20 years in Congress, Gingrich pushed for the "Republican Contract with America." UMW President William Frawley said he and other senior officials chose to invite him. "Inevitably, the voice of someone like him is going to engender a back and forth," Frawley said. That's because he's a high-profile figure who has affected people's lives, he said. Psychology professor Denis Nissam-Sabat said he's "extremely disappointed" by the university's pick of an "extreme conservative." Senior Zach Bowman said he wouldn't be surprised to see students protest--beyond the Internet. "Those things have a way of growing," he said. In a Web site posting, one student suggested a collective boo at the end of Gingrich's speech. When Morris--who created the pro-Gingrich Web site--graduated in 2004, former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner was the commencement speaker. He disagrees with the Democrat's politics but still shook his hand at the ceremony, which he said went off without incident. "I would just ask the other side to be as respectful as we were," he said. He said Warner didn't give a political speech. Amber Moore said she's heard students may wear anti-Gingrich buttons at graduation. But she doesn't think anyone will make too much of a scene. "I think most people recognize that, even though we're not happy about it, we don't want to ruin the day for other people who may be fine with it," she said. Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402Email: jbranscome@freelancestar.com
Date published: 3/22/2007
Just What the Students Need
(posted by
PinkMoore
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
An adulterous thrice-married lying neocon who lied about his affair while impeaching Clinton. What a piece of work. Definitely someone of moral character for the students of Mary Washington to look up to. My step-daughter is graduating and I am disappointed in Mary Washington's choice.
No wait Janti that's not fair,
(posted by
GOUSA
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
according to the original FLS story on this issue, Frawley mentioned one of the reasons he was excited to have Gingrich was because he is a likely presidential candidate. So I'm not sure what you mean by All news outlets, but he is strongly proposed as a candidate according to numerous traditional news media and blog sites including Redstate (a very conservative site). I'm against a public entity endorsing candidates. Would you feel the same if Obama or Clinton were instead invited? I would.
College Students
(posted by
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Students seems to be a misnomer-hey kids, you know what that means? Are they so afraid to hear another point of view? They are supposed to be on campus to learn. And so the anti Gingrich campaign starts here in peaceful Fredericksburg. The left leaning students think their point of view should have been solicited. ie. what they want is what they should get.
And Gousa bases his whole comment on the non fact that Gingrich will run for President, if you care to follow all news outlets this is iffy at best.
Where are the "Open" Minded People?
(posted by
Martin
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I just watched all the video comments from the UMW students. What really bothered me was how many of these people either didn't know him or his views. How can one comment when they don't have any information that they themselves have read and seen? Most of the students sound like they get their info by word of mouth.
I was also surprised to listen to many of those college students who mainly used the words "um" and "like" to speak. Maybe UMW should require a public speaking course for all students.
There is a difference
(posted by
GOUSA
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I too attended the commencement with Mark Warner as the speaker and he did give a fine address. The obvious difference is that Warner attended as the sitting governor and not a person running for higher office. Therefore, this could not be construed as an endorsement by a public entity. FLS already quoted Frawley as noting that Gingrich is a likely presidential candidate. He could have invited a host of his other fellow republicans & that would be fine, but not candidates for office.
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