Harvard College has been unable to find a keynote speaker for their upcoming annual annual Class Day, leaving administrators scrambling.
So far more than 10 people have declined offers to deliver the address to graduating seniors in the liberal arts school, leaving the Harvard Alumni Association in chaos as it looks to find a quick solution, the Harvard Crimson reported. The college is one part of the larger Harvard University which includes 12 graduate and professional schools.
Among the chief reasons for the speaker drought was trepidation from prominent names about associating with the institution — which has been racked by protests from anti-Israel students and faculty. Scheduling conflicts and overly demanding honorariums have also scuttled some options. A Columbia-style tent encampment remains ongoing on the campus.
“What was explained to us was that obviously this year is probably a rougher year for someone to affiliate themselves with Harvard, especially if they don’t have an existing connection,” Fez S. Zafar, a senior involved in the planning, told the student paper.
Among names included on a list from the Senior Class Committee were Matt Damon, former President Obama, and Dr. Shaquille O’Neal.
Class Day is an annual event at the school to celebrate the achievements of the graduating class. Past speakers have included President Biden and former veep Al Gore. The event is distinct from the university’s more famous commencement ceremony — which will feature a keynote address from Philippino activist Maria Ressa.
Ressa’s selection has already caused controversey, after news surfaced that her news organization, Rappler, had published an editorial comparing Israel to Nazi Germany just weeks after Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack, the Washington Free Beacon reported.
Rep. Elise Stefanik — the powerful New York Republican whose brutal questions to former Harvard President Claudine Gay are widely credited with contributing to her resignation in January — blasted Ressa on X as an “antisemitic commencement speaker.”
