Vice-Pres. Mike Pence praised Notre Dame University for being a place where free speech has continued with civility, while admonishing other universities that have instituted “safe zones” and “Speech codes” as against American tradition. Pence was the commencement speaker Sunday, and also received his honorary doctorate degree in law.
He was booed briefly as he began his speech. A small group of students and graduates left the commencement in protest of Pence’s speech and for some of his decisions as governor.
“If the emanations of free speech were charted on a map like infrared heat signatures, one would hope that universities would be the hottest places,” said Pence. “If such a map were to exist, Notre Dame would burn bright with the glow of vibrant discussion.”
“But, Notre Dame is an exception, an island in a sea of conformity, so far spared from the noxious wave that seems to be rushing over much of academia,” said Pence. “Far too many campuses across America have become characterized by speech codes, safe zones, tone policing, administration-sanctioned political correctness, all of which amounts to nothing less than suppression of the freedom of speech.”
Pence told the graduates that he believes they are graduating from an exceptional university and encouraged them to “be exceptional”.
Though he largely stayed away from politics, Pence used some lines in his speech to praise Pres. Trump for his pro-life stance, and included Notre Dame, a Catholic university, in that praise.
“Where this president has stood for the inalienable right to life at home and abroad, I’m so proud that the University of Notre Dame has stood, without apology, for the sanctity of human life,” said Pence. “This president spoke out against religious persecution of people of all faiths. And on the world stage, he condemned, in his words, the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews and the slaughter of Christians.”
Pence was described as a man of “deep and abiding faith” and as someone who was able to work with people on both sides of the political aisle in his introduction before receiving his honorary doctorate. Both Pence and university Pres. Father John L. Jenkins spoke of the need to be open to political discourse.
“Speaking only to the like-minded, we question first their motives and then the character of those who differ. Opposition to their views becomes opposition to them,” said Father Jenkins.
Others who received honorary doctorates included Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden, Jr., former administrator of NASA; Alice Gast, president of the Imperial College of London; Rev. Martin Junge; Phillip J. Purcell, III; and Martha Lampkin Welborne.
