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The Case
(Circa May, 2000)
Some graduating seniors at Old Dominion University think they are a little too grown up to listen to Mr. Rogers. Fred Rogers, who is the star of public television's Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, is scheduled to speak at Old Dominion's commencement exercises on Saturday, much to the chagrin of some students who have signed petitions seeking his replacement. "It's like having Barney, or Teletubbies," said Willie Tillerson, 23, a graduating mechanical engineering major. Other students disagree: "I hope he takes his (graduation) robe off and puts his sweater on," said Kevin Bolduc, 26, a graduating political science major. "That would be great." (USA Today)
Consumer Advocate Michael W. found flaw with this situation. His critique is below
To Whom It May Concern:
I saw the above news piece in the ShopTalk media industry newsletter today, and wished to write to tell you how appalled I am at the behavior of your students towards Mr. Rogers, who is such a legendary children's television personality, and an honored guest at your university.
Obviously your students are remiss in remembering that a great many of them likely grew up watching Mr. Rogers on PBS, and he has done outstanding, inspirational work for children of so many walks of life. I am a graduating senior myself [at the time of this writing] this year out of college, and I would be honored and thrilled to have Fred Rogers as our commencement speaker.
What better, metaphorical way to end your college career but to be a kid again with a gentle man who has made a life out of helping youngsters deal with all the childhood anxieties that face them ... just as college students face equally vexing problems in their own lives. What better way to be sent off into the real world ... a sign of the completion of your formal education ... by the same man who sent you off to nursery school and elementary school to start that very education.
Let us hope that your university -- and the students you have fostered have "grown up enough", as they claim, that they won't pull any shenanigans at the actual ceremony as news of this petition seems to foreshadow.
Sincerely yours,
Michael W.
