<p>Mere “fame” as a sole criterion for a commencement speaker is lame. I once attended a university commencement where Mr. Roberts was the speaker. This year’s Harvard speaker is Oprah. Nothing against either, per se, but how exactly do they serve as a fitting capstone or grand finale to a time of formal higher education? If fame is the sole criterion, then why not Kim Kardashian? Donald Trump? Snooki? Dennis Rodman?</p>
<p>Sure, have some fun and celebration with a class day type thing. But shouldn’t the commencement have some dignity and at least a tenuous connection to higher education and lifelong learning?</p>