2008 Woodie Awards
Staff Editorial: Choice of commencement speaker raises questions about selection process
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Opinion
And the winner is…. Peter Berg.
And the automatic response to Macalester's selection of this year's commencement speaker is… Really? No, seriously. Really?
He is a B-list Hollywood writer, director, producer and sometimes actor, who has his name stamped on a series of lukewarm action flicks that go through one ear and out the other (remember 2007's "Smokin' Aces" or "Kingdom")? Yeah. Point made.
He is also the director of the 2004 movie "Friday Night Lights," which The New York Times dubbed "rousing and honest" and the follow-up critically acclaimed television series by the same name. He is also in the works to produce a new film with Charlize Theron and Will Smith this summer. But that really doesn't change too much.
The question is: why does this matter, and how does any of this apply to Macalester's mission of internationalism, multiculturalism and civic engagement?
It probably doesn't. Last year, Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund, graced the stage. The year before that, journalist and former CNN anchor Aaron Brown spoke to the class of 2006. Both Edelman and Brown hold all the characteristics Macalester students might expect of a commencement speaker here and the administration and faculty expects of us.
We are taught to become politically and socially active in our communities and to directly engage with the world around us. Making it big in Hollywood never slipped into any of those orientation materials.
So why the sudden change of heart? President Rosenberg wrote in the April 1 College Relations press release that Berg "is a great example of the importance of theater and arts education at a liberal arts college."
Perhaps, and maybe we shouldn't judge the man prematurely. He is, after all, a Macalester alumnus (class of 1984), not to mention a former Mac Weekly staffer. But this is the graduating class of 2008's commencement ceremony, not that of the Macalester administration.
And just as we griped last week about the college's lack of transparency in selecting a senior student speaker, we have one more dead horse to beat. It's too late now, but next year, consider this: how much harm could a poll do asking seniors what kind of commencement speaker they would prefer? Chances are, most people wouldn't answer "relatively unknown Hollywood director/producer." But we'll never know until we try.
The opinions expressed above are those of The Mac Weekly, as determined by the staff. The perspectives are not representative of Macalester College.
And the automatic response to Macalester's selection of this year's commencement speaker is… Really? No, seriously. Really?
He is a B-list Hollywood writer, director, producer and sometimes actor, who has his name stamped on a series of lukewarm action flicks that go through one ear and out the other (remember 2007's "Smokin' Aces" or "Kingdom")? Yeah. Point made.
He is also the director of the 2004 movie "Friday Night Lights," which The New York Times dubbed "rousing and honest" and the follow-up critically acclaimed television series by the same name. He is also in the works to produce a new film with Charlize Theron and Will Smith this summer. But that really doesn't change too much.
The question is: why does this matter, and how does any of this apply to Macalester's mission of internationalism, multiculturalism and civic engagement?
It probably doesn't. Last year, Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund, graced the stage. The year before that, journalist and former CNN anchor Aaron Brown spoke to the class of 2006. Both Edelman and Brown hold all the characteristics Macalester students might expect of a commencement speaker here and the administration and faculty expects of us.
We are taught to become politically and socially active in our communities and to directly engage with the world around us. Making it big in Hollywood never slipped into any of those orientation materials.
So why the sudden change of heart? President Rosenberg wrote in the April 1 College Relations press release that Berg "is a great example of the importance of theater and arts education at a liberal arts college."
Perhaps, and maybe we shouldn't judge the man prematurely. He is, after all, a Macalester alumnus (class of 1984), not to mention a former Mac Weekly staffer. But this is the graduating class of 2008's commencement ceremony, not that of the Macalester administration.
And just as we griped last week about the college's lack of transparency in selecting a senior student speaker, we have one more dead horse to beat. It's too late now, but next year, consider this: how much harm could a poll do asking seniors what kind of commencement speaker they would prefer? Chances are, most people wouldn't answer "relatively unknown Hollywood director/producer." But we'll never know until we try.
The opinions expressed above are those of The Mac Weekly, as determined by the staff. The perspectives are not representative of Macalester College.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 11
Bmac
posted 4/05/08 @ 4:12 PM CST
I find the level of disrespectfulness, elitism, and arrogance in this editorial to be disheartening. As a Mac alum, I'm ashamed.
So Berg's accomplishments aren't enough to make him "worthy" enough to be a graduation speaker? How dare Rosenberg think we'd even deign to listen to such a person, who with his "b-list movies" has achieved more than the author of this editorial ever will. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 4/07/08 @ 3:57 PM CST
BMac, you're not getting the point. He can be a B-List movie director or Steven Spielberg- his career and purpose (creating movies for the entertainment industry, not meaningful documentaries or films with significant commentary), don't coincide with Mac's mission. (Continued…)
Matthew Won
posted 4/07/08 @ 6:01 PM CST
Yeah, sorry Bmac. The only "disrespectfulness, elitism, and arrogance" here is in your statement that Berg has achieved more than the author of this editorial will. (Continued…)
BMac
posted 4/09/08 @ 8:50 AM CST
Mike and Matt --
I am getting the point. The Mac Weekly isn't impressed enough with Peter Berg's credentials. If you're really only concerned about civic engagement, why do you describe him as "b-list" individual with "lukewarm" accomplishments? Why do you say that you don't want a "relatively unknown" Hollywood director/producer? How is that relevant to wanting a civic engagement or multiculturalism themed speaker? Would a "relatively well-known" or "A-list" actor be relevant? Maybe if his accomlishments were more than "lukewarm" you'd come around, huh? I think you're not getting MY point---this editorial, while pushing a perfectly acceptable conclusion, has an overarching tone of disrespect and elitism. (Continued…)
also 1984 Grad
posted 5/19/08 @ 9:28 AM CST
I was told their was an unflattering complaint about Peter Berg as commencement speaker here and wanted to respond for the record.
So to have graduates who become successful leaders in their chosen field of academic study is not part of Macalester's mission? Wow, that is a very interesting proposition, though not likely in my mind to have many adherents. (Continued…)
also 1984 grad
posted 5/26/08 @ 6:57 PM CST
Harumph! You young whippersnappers need to get out more! Youth is wasted on the young!
Geologists Rock
posted 5/28/08 @ 11:46 AM CST
Thank the geologist (climatology) for sounding the alarm on global warming. Thank geologists (hydrology) for leading the fight for clean ground water and preservation of wetlands . (Continued…)
Mike
posted 8/06/08 @ 3:52 PM CST
Class of 84 folks- did you attend the commencement this year? I did. Berg talked for around five minutes and his content didn't extend much past what he drummed up the night before at his hotel bar (he actually said this, I didn't make it up). (Continued…)
07 Grad
posted 8/18/08 @ 3:48 PM CST
Marian Edelman gave a terribly pedantic and downright boring speech herself. Aaron Brown was witty and rousing. Peter Berg was funny if a bit superficial. (Continued…)
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