The Justice

Media Credit: David Sheppard-Brick CNN Analyst Bill Schneider gives his address.

CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider '66 advised the graduating Class of 2008 to be politically aware and involved during his keynote address at the University's 57th commencement ceremony last Sunday.

826 undergraduates, 614 masters degree recipients, 84 Ph.D. candidates and their families packed into the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. Schneider's words made many laugh, simultaneously sending a serious message to the graduates with a gentle yet guiding tone: Be mindful of changes in consciousness and unify our divided country.

Chair of the University Board of Trustees Malcolm Sherman introduced Schneider and four other recipients as they received their honorary degrees. Sherman referred to Schneider as the "Aristotle of American politics," citing an article in the Boston Globe.

Schneider is a contributing editor to National Journal magazine and The Atlantic Monthly and is a regular contributor to several prestigious publications. A winner of the Brandeis Alumni Achievement Award and former visiting professor in 2002 teaching on America's electorate, Schneider shared his political expertise with the graduates and their families.

"Sit down, shut up and listen to us," Schneider said, referring to members of his class and others like them who were involved in politics in their undergraduate years. He remembered that during his own graduation, several graduates turned their backs to the speaker, a United Nations ambassador, to show their opposition to the Vietnam War.

While this anecdote encouraged students to take an active role in politics, Schneider also admitted that his generation showed great enthusiasm for many issues, but at the same time, the country divided into irreconcilable political parties.

"Our generation has seen impossible things happen, and your generation will too," Schneider said. He continued, saying "our generation left this country divided." For 40 years now there has been a divide between red conservative and blue liberal America, he said.

"Americans have had enough," which is why the country has been nominating presidential candidates who will end the divide, said Schneider. He emphasized this point quoting Sen. John McCain, "This endless paralyzed anchor must end. We belong to different parties, not different countries." Schneider also noted Sen. Barack Obama's status as "the great unifier."

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools