U.S. Senator Edward (Ted) M. Kennedy P’83, P’08 has been selected to deliver the featured address at the University’s 176th commencement on Sunday, May 25.
“Senator Kennedy is a longstanding friend of Wesleyan, and a longtime supporter of education in the U.S.,” said President Michael Roth, who invited Kennedy to speak. “We thought, ’Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear from a senior statesmen in an election year, someone so close to education politics in the U.S?’”
Kennedy shared the enthusiasm.
“Senator Kennedy was honored to be asked by President Roth to speak at this year’s commencement, and he looks forward to it very much,” wrote Melissa Wagoner, Kennedy’s press secretary, in an e-mail to The Argus. “He’s always taken pride in speaking to America’s youth and the next generation of the nation’s leaders.”
The Massachusetts senator was first elected to the senate in 1962, making him the second-longest-serving current member of the U.S. Senate (first is Democratic Senator Robert C. Byrd from West Virginia). In his 46 years as a lawmaker, Kennedy has advocated for raising the minimum wage, universal health care, improving the public education system, making college more affordable and strengthening civil rights.
He has also been an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq, and is regarded as one of the most prominent and influential figures in the Democratic Party.
In April 2006, Kennedy was chosen as one of “Time” magazine’s 10 Best American Senators. The article stated that he had “amassed a titanic record of legislation affecting the lives every man, woman and child in the country.”
Kennedy has recently made headlines with his support of Illinois Senator Barack Obama’s primary campaign. Many have likened Obama to Kennedy’s late brothers, Robert F. Kennedy and John F. Kennedy.
Roth said that he had considered the political implications of inviting such an iconic liberal figure.
“I did wonder if it would be perceived as a political choice,” Roth said. “Senator Kennedy certainly represents part of the political spectrum.”
According to Wagoner, the speech will not emphasize partisan politics.
“Senator Kennedy generally speaks on issues relevant to today’s youth, especially values of public service,” she said. “It won’t be a campaign speech, but he’ll almost certainly emphasize the importance of getting engaged in the political process and exercising one’s right to vote.”
Roth said the main motivation for inviting Kennedy was not his political affiliation, but his staunch support of higher education and liberal arts education, and his personal connections with the University.
“I think Senator Kennedy is a champion of education, and for that reason, a great addition to commencement activities,” Roth said. “And he knows Wesleyan and something about campus culture.”
Kennedy’s ties to the University include his son, Edward Jr. ’83 and stepdaughter Caroline Raclin ’08.
“Senator Kennedy is proud that his son Ted Jr. is a graduate of such an esteemed institution and that Caroline will be joining the long history of distinguished alumni at the University,” Wagoner said. “He has great respect for Wesleyan and its long history of excellence in higher education.”
The senator himself received an honorary doctorate from Wesleyan in 1984, but did not speak at the commencement.
Within the Senate, Kennedy currently serves as the Chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, as well as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Seapower within the Armed Services Committee, of which he is a member. He is also a member of the Judiciary Committee and the Joint Economic Committee.
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