Two opposing sides of the political spectrum are well represented in the upcoming graduation at Michigan State University. Michael Moore, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind Fahrenheit 9/11 stands for the Liberal side, while conservative columnist George Will stands for the other.
The President of MSU, Lou Anna K. Simon, noted the dynamic combination of the commencement speakers for their graduation. “The respectful exchange of differing viewpoints is a marker of the healthy intellectual environment Michigan State models,” she said at a recent interview with The Detroit News.
.@MMFlint among the speakers for #MSU December graduation ceremonies. Learn more: http://t.co/CNcF8IxBaP #MSUGrads pic.twitter.com/1SgDLNURGF
— FOX 47 News (@FOX47News) December 2, 2014
Both Will and Moore will receive honorary degrees for their contributions. Will is slated to address the graduates from the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities and James Madison College at the ceremony, while Moore will address the undergraduates from the colleges of Engineering, Natural Science, and Communication Arts.
Moore is known for his thought-provoking documentaries like Bowling for Columbine and Capitalism: A Love Story which talked about gun laws and the economy, respectively. Will, on the other hand, is a popular columnist for The Washington Post who frequently writes about economic and social issues in relation to conservative politics.
The commencement events will be held at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center on December 12 and 13. The entire ceremony can be monitored on Twitter through the hashtag #MSUgrad14.
The list of those awarded with honorary degrees from the MSU includes civil rights advocate, Robert Clark Jr.; President Barack Obama’s spiritual adviser, Rev. James Wallis; Kristin Clark Taylor, the White House director of media relations during President Bush’s term; and Teresa Sullivan, the president of the University of Virginia.
Sullivan was recently known for canceling fraternity and sorority activities until next semester after the Rolling Stone reported about a shocking gang rape that occurred at one of the Virginia campus’ fraternity houses.
