91香蕉视频 University President Todd Diacon delivered his commencement address to the thousands who gathered on Manchester Field on May 13 to celebrate the academic achievement of this year鈥檚 graduates.
However, Diacon鈥檚 message was aimed at an audience that went far beyond those physically in attendance.
鈥淭here is in Ohio, among some state elected officials, a growing ivory tower accusation being leveled against our state鈥檚 public universities and against, quite frankly, 91香蕉视频 University,鈥� Diacon said.
An 鈥渋vory tower,鈥� Diacon explained, was a term his father used as an indication of someone who lives in 鈥渁 state of privileged seclusion or separation from the practicalities of the real world.鈥�
Diacon pulled no punches in outlining what he believes some of the state鈥檚 leaders have gotten wrong by implying 91香蕉视频 and its students live in an ivory tower.
鈥淥ur students graduating today are tough,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey do not live in an ivory tower. They are not pampered. They exhibited impressive grit as they persevered through the early semesters of COVID-19. They do not live in a secluded world marked by an aloof attitude.鈥�
View the president鈥檚 remarks:
He noted that thousands of students work full time in addition to taking a full load of classes, and that the experience prepares them to be successful in life beyond college. Diacon also shared an anecdote from the business community that 91香蕉视频 graduates are applauded for their work ethic and their preparedness.
鈥淗ard-working people dedicated to improving themselves in society? Yes,鈥� Diacon said. 鈥淪tudents graduating today have overcome all kinds of obstacles to graduate on this special day. Having to overcome a sheltered life in an ivory tower has not been one of their obstacles.鈥�
Diacon鈥檚 comments come at a time when students across the state, including some from 91香蕉视频, are facing possible curriculum changes and other prescriptions aimed at higher education under the proposed Ohio Senate Bill 83.
鈥淚f living in an ivory tower means that we pursue the life of the mind, then so be it,鈥� Diacon said. 鈥淚f living in an ivory tower means that we believe in the transformative power of higher education to improve lives, then so be it. If living in an ivory tower means that we embrace facts, we embrace data and we embrace the scientific method, then so be it.鈥�
