University should aim for notable speakers

We’ve had a former president cancel on us, had an alumnus actor flake out and then seen our university scramble to find a replacement.

So it’s understandable why the announcement of Gustavo Arellano as this year’s speaker has been underwhelming for students. Arellano, an OC Weekly columnist and a UCLA alumnus who earned his master’s degree in Latin American studies in 2003, sparks little reaction from most students.

Very few have heard of Arellano and even fewer have read his work. Expectations have been high in previous years, and the recent delay of the announcement only built the suspense.

After a committee comprised of campus representatives whose sole purpose was to find a commencement speaker was appointed, this board can’t help but feel that the committee set its sights too low. There are a number of notable people on the university’s payroll who could have been selected ““ what about Jared Diamond, General Wesley Clark or Michael Dukakis?

But while we may be underwhelmed by the choice of Arellano, it’s important to temper our knee-jerk assessments and reflect on why we have a commencement speaker in the first place. For example, is it more important to have a good speaker or a famous one?

This board feels that quality is just as important as clout, but there are precedents set for the selection of a prestigious university’s commencement speaker. News organizations cover celebrity speaking engagements, which makes a university’s selection of a commencement speaker a matter of public image and fame. A celebrated or well-respected commencement speaker would boost our reputation, and in this sense, Arellano does not satisfy the full purpose of a commencement speaker.

An underwhelming choice for the student body could also reflect poorly on the university and its ability to attract quality speakers. But Arellano’s obscurity by no means condemns this graduating class of seniors to a dull and uninspiring graduation experience. Fame does not correlate with oratorical skill, and Arellano could easily deliver an unforgettable speech, such as when last year’s commencement speaker, Brad Delson of Linkin Park, gave a smart, insightful and amusing speech amid loud concerns over his qualifications.

Don’t dismiss Arellano outright, but for the good of the university and our reputation, we should set our sights higher in the future.

Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the editorial board.