I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In other words, I am a Mormon. I am also a BYU alum. I am embarrassed that BYU will allow Dick Cheney to speak at its commencement this week. I am further embarrassed that BYU will honor such a dishonorable man with an Honorary Doctoral degree. I have cross posted over at my religious blog, Messenger and Advocate my protest of this travesty. I cross post it here below the jump.
Both the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News report the unthinkable: BYU is going to award Dick Cheney an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service. I had resigned myself to the fact that my alma mater had acquiseed to Dick Cheney’s self invitation to speak at its commencement; however, I cannot begin to fathom the thinking that went into the decision to award Dick Cheney an honorary degree of anything.
Not only is he undeserving of this honor, it cheapens the commencement service, and all others who are receiving actual degrees or other honorary degrees.
From the Deseret News:
PROVO — Brigham Young University will bestow on Vice President Dick Cheney an honorary degree Thursday when he speaks at the university’s commencement exercises, a decision that further frustrated Cheney’s opponents on campus.
BYU and its board of trustees will give Cheney an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service and award honorary doctorates to four long-time university supporters.
The other recipients are Ira Fulton, Honorary Doctorate of Engineering; Mary Lou Fulton, Honorary Doctorate of Education; and Jack R. and Mary Lois Wheatley, Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters.
There are many who are unhappy with this decision. Such an action implies tacit endorsement by BYU, and by extension the Church of Dick Cheney and the Bush Administration’s abhorrent political excesses and policies:
A number of professors and students who either opposed Cheney’s visit or welcomed the visit while criticizing the vice president’s policies had said that if BYU chose to bestow an honorary degree on Cheney, it would feel to them like an endorsement of Cheney’s policies by the university and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which owns the school.
“There are a number of faculty and students who are shocked and surprised and dismayed that Mr. Cheney will not only be honored as a commencement speaker but also receive an honorary degree from BYU,” business professor Warner Woodworth said. “I believe this is the first time in BYU history the school has so honored a commencement speaker who is in the process of being impeached by Congress.”
Cheney will arrive in Utah Thursday at 1:55 p.m. and meet with the First Presidency of the church at 2:30. Commencement begins at 4 p.m.
Professor Woodworth’s observation is well taken. Awarding such a degree to Dick Cheney at BYU, “makes reason stare.”
fMh has a related post up about the alternate commencement being held in Provo. Russell over at Times and Seasons also has a great post about the Cheney protests and alternative commencement. Also check out Ronan’s letter to Mr. Cheney over at BCC. All these posts are worth reading.
I wish those who are protesting Dick Cheney’s appearance this week at the Lord’s University well. I hope they turn out in force. I will even go so far as to advocate some type of protest inside the Marriot Center when Cheney’s degree is bestowed.
This is a sad and dark day in BYU history. Shame on this decision to link BYU and the Church to an individual of such questionable moral character and repute. As Hugh Nibley once observed this of all commencements will commemorate the gathering of those in clothed in the black robes of a false priesthood.
My other BYU–Dick Cheney protest posts: here, here, here, and here.
I know people often use it ironically, or just because other people use it, but I can NOT STAND when BYU is referred to as “The Lord’s University.” Being from CA, I was raised being taught that “The Lord’s University” was a cute nickname for the temple. I was horrified and sickened the first time I heard it used to refer to BYU.
Lets all start a new trend–”The Lord’s University” is the temple. Period.
PS: Maybe I’m just obsessing over this minor point because I’m too shocked and disgusted by the news that Cheney will be getting an honorary degree to take that topic head-on…aaahhh!!! I was resigned to him speaking at graduation, hey, Clinton still speaks and graduations, and he’s not exactly a non-divisive figure. But an honorary degree?? Was that a late decision, just to stick it to the protesters or what??
Ack, I was raised in CA myself; but don’t recall that phrase associated with the Temple; though it certainly could be. If you knew anything about me, you would realize if I use the phrase it is tongue in cheek. I certainly agree with you though about Cheney speaking at BYU and also received a degree he doesn’t deserve! I think the trustees probably felt protocol demanded the degree; but, if it were up to me, I’d break with protocol this time.
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
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