LETTER: Speaker not worth paying big bucks for

---

by Carmen Peralta

---

I am writing this letter in response to the editorial on the commencement speaker for 1996 ( Thresher , Sept. 22).

Last week's editorial said that Rice has to use "its financial superiority to [attract big-name commencement speakers]."

However, I do not believe that Rice should pay the mega-bucks that are required to recruit speakers for commencement.

Rice University's community is gifted with incredible talent, and I don't believe we have to pay money to have someone come to our campus and address our graduating class. Being invited is an honor as it is.

As chair of the 1996 Commencement Speaker Selection Committee, I was part of the search and realized how hard it was to accomodate students' choices.

Maybe what we need is an evaluation of the process.

We may even want to reconsider the need for a commencement speaker at all.

I was interested in being a part of the committee because I wanted to see someone at Rice who would give a good speech, not just a big name.

However, it seems that the students prefer, as a commencement speaker, somebody the whole world can know about.

In my opinion, excellent commencement addresses can be delivered with no need for monetary remuneration or an honorary degree.

I would be very sad to see Rice actively seeking funds for a commencement speaker when there are so many other issues in need of funding at this institution.

Why should we pay $30,000 for a commencement speech when we can use that money to give a scholarship to a student who wouldn't get one otherwise?

I urge the upcoming classes to re-evaluate the idea of a commencement speaker.

If you decide you want to get one, please don't forget that the speech is not the only event that makes commencement meaningful.

Carmen A. Peralta

Wiess '96

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the September 29, 1995 issue.

Copyright © 1996 The Rice Thresher. All Rights Reserved.
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of:
The Rice Thresher, Rice University, 6100 Main, Houston, TX 77005-1892, USA.