You're going to think this is a joke, but it's not. The scheduled speaker for this year's commencement at Villanova University is...Big Bird:
Villanova University seniors, who spent up to $112,000 on tuition in their four years, are underwhelmed by news the actor who plays Big Bird will be this year's commencement speaker.
Caroll Spinney, who has portrayed the tall yellow-feathered bird for more than 30 years on "Sesame Street," will address the class on May 16.
"Everyone I've talked to says it's crazy," said senior Joe Mordini, a columnist for the Villanovan, the student newspaper.
"I also think there are other people who also embody truth and loyalty and love and other values of the university without also being iconic to the pre-school class," Mordini said.
Spinney, who published a book last year called "The Wisdom of Big Bird," has a positive message for students – and won't show up in costume – school officials say.
Why not? That's what Spinney's fame rests upon. If Big Bird's on the cover of the book, why isn't he good enough to receive an honorary degree in costume? Gee, you'd think students like Mordini would be more welcoming of someone who helped teach them the alphabet in the first place *giggle*.
Fark's headline is great: "Cost of 4 years at Villanova: $112,000. Watching students get peeved when they hear Big Bird is their commencement speaker: Priceless"
Update: Recent Villanova graduate George H. gives me what-for and says that Carol Spinney did just fine...better than most commencement speakers, in fact:
I am a Villanova senior who graduated, Spinney did fine, he was short and sweet with no more than 8-10 minutes of talking. He was greeted with resounding applause, and I believe left with a standing ovation. He had a couple jokes and will be remembered. Thank god we had him and not some a**hole who would preach to us about what we are "required" to do with our lives because we are so lucky to have graduated.
In regards to your quote, "Villanova University seniors, who spent up to $112,000 on tuition in their four years, are underwhelmed by news the actor who plays Big Bird will be this year's commencement speaker", last time I checked, I paid $100,000 for a COLLEGE EDUCATION. To everyone who relied on that argument, where was the reply with a better speaker recomended? I noticed in your article you did not once offer a better solution, just an empty complaint. Also, anyone can go to a commencement speech, they didnt charge the $100,000 ticket price at the gate, it was free to enter and free to leave.
If you really want to complain about something, at least choose something good, like the "news" of articles in the Villanovan.
Sounds like George's Villanova funds were put to good use; you wouldn't believe the number of emails and comments I get from high school and college students that are vulgar, illiterate, insulting, and just plain scary. George, I now nominate you for the official role of N2P correspondent in Villanova. If there are news reports from there I should be covering, you let me know.