OT Sanjay Gupta Spring Commencement Speaker
http://www.michigandaily.com/news/sanjay-gupta-commencement-speaker
The guy grew up in Novi, went to Michigan for undergrad and medical school, and got to warm up for the Big House speech with his 2009 address to the UMich medical school graduates. He was also pegged to be the Surgeon General by my commencement speaker, Barack Obama, before declining due to family considerations.
Thoughts?
He breathes really heavily when speaking into the microphone. It's super annoying.
This is an odd choice.....he was the most annoying American Idol contestant ever.
In the end, I'm happy. They didn't pick another politician, which would have been an absolute disaster. They got an alum, and a notable one at that. I was hoping they would land Zuckerberg, but as long as its someone I can learn something from, I'm happy.
Having seen videos of his talks before, he's really not a great speaker, and he has no connection to the university. Someone else suggested Tina Fey; even though I don't think she has any Michigan connections either, at least it would've been more entertaining than usual.
But let's be honest, we're going to be far too drunk to critique the speaker. Class of 2012 wooo!
Call me crazy, but I would consider having spent enough time at the university to earn two degrees a "connection."
I like the selection. My biophysics MS graduation last year was a yawner with Snyder. I wish Spike Lee could have spoken instead. He would have been much more interesting (yes, I know he is not an alum of the university). He could at least be mildly entertaining. I will most likely attend for my MA.Ed degree now that Dr. Gupta is the speaker.
I was hoping for someone better for my year but kinda figured it would be lame when it hadn't been anounced pre-spring break.
I am happy with the no politics though because I was frankly disgusted at some of the students the last few years. One of the men I didn't agree with, one of them I do and yet both of them deserve our respect due to the offices they hold.
I wanted Brady Hoke.
I figured this could be a posbang thread, due to the relief of finally obtaining a speaker that is not entirely political in nature and could inspire a large segment of students at a top medical-and research-oriented institution.
I was wrong.