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The Conversation USA

The Conversation USA

More universities are disinviting commencement speakers who might challenge students’ ideas, unraveling an apolitical tradition

  • Written by Austin Sarat, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science, Amherst College
imageCollege commencement ceremonies celebrate students' achievements, but also have become occasionally fraught with politics. photosbyjim/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Delivering a university commencement address used to simply be a unique kind of honor. Speakers stand before a podium, wearing a traditional graduation cap and robe, and offer graduates...

Read more: More universities are disinviting commencement speakers who might challenge students’ ideas,...

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