Commencement woes

The announcement of Chief Justice Marshall as this year's commencement speaker indicates a trend of low-visibility choices for the event. At an institution that regularly welcomes former presidents and vice-presidents, seniors should expect more than such a regional personality.

This isn't to say that Marshall won't deliver a great speech. Certainly her life experience is extraordinary enough to warrant admiration. But while many great and relatively-unknown speakers regularly visit the University, commencement is a time to invite speakers that students can identify with as they prepare for a major life change.

Last year's speaker was no better. Shortly after donating $10 million toward the budding UCCPS, eBay founders and Tufts alums Pierre and Pamela Omidyar were given the honor. While it is great that the individuals behind one of the biggest internet success stories of the past decade graduated from Tufts, a commencement invitation following such a large donation was suspicious, to say the least.

Like it or not, Tufts is also judged by the caliber of its commencement speakers. Much like the infamous US News and World Report rankings, graduation guests provide a barometer by which the University is measured. When someone finds out that you just graduated from Tufts and wants to know who the commencement speaker was, they expect the answer to reflect the quality of the establishment.

In the future, the administration should consider splurging a bit for a more recognizable speaker. In its last send-off to the senior class, Tufts could afford to make it an event to remember.