V.P. Dick Cheney Arrives in Utah for BYU Commencement

By Tracy Medley, 4-26-07

According to the Deseret Morning News 20,000 guests are expected to attend Vice President Dick Cheney’s Brigham Young University commencement speech later this afternoon. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leaders are expected to meet with the Vice President shortly after he arrives.

At least three demonstrations opposing Cheney’s visit are expected; including an alternative commencement hosted by BYU students featuring Ralph Nader.

BYU’s invite to the V.P. sparked debate among both Utah’s Latter-day Saint faithful and non-believers alike, contradicting the cozy invite from the Church’s First Presidency. “Along with BYU graduates, their parents and the faculty and staff, we would be honored to welcome you on this special occasion and to hear your commencement address,” church leaders wrote to Cheney.

While Cheney’s visit may be a hit with the majority of BYU students at least 4000 signed a petition denouncing the invitation. Another group of students organized an alternative commencement demonstration that will feature prominent liberal figures; Ralph Nader, Jack Healey and Pete Ashdown. The alternative commencement will take place on the Utah Valley State College campus at 7:30 p.m.

Also causing controversy is the Church’s decision to offer the V.P. an honorary doctorate of “public service.”

“One does wonder what message BYU intends to send with this,” Darren Hawkins, a political science professor told the D-News. “Honorary degrees are sometimes conferred by universities to proclaim their approval of the honoree’s character and qualities, and if that’s what BYU intends to do, I disagree wholeheartedly with the award of an honorary degree. I don’t think BYU should be commending Vice President Cheney’s character or actions to anyone.
“If they intend to acknowledge his long public service, then I have less of a problem with it because it is certainly true he has risen to a high office and has a long career of public service.”