Stein to speak at commencement

By Chris Baxter / Staff Writer

December 09, 2004

Ferris Bueller may take the day off, but May 15, 2005, will be a day Ithaca College graduates won’t want to miss.

Award-winning actor, author, economist, civil rights lawyer and college professor Ben Stein has been selected as the Class of 2005 commencement speaker.

During a phone interview with The Ithacan, Stein outlined his motivations for agreeing to speak.

“A) they asked me,” Stein said. “B) I had a friend who was my college roommate, and he taught for a long time at Ithaca and always had a high opinion of the school; C) even in June, I’m told there is snow there; and D) I want to meet the hardy and individually minded students who put up with that weather. I’m captivated by the fact it’s so cold.”

Stein’s selection was particularly appealing to Leigh Ann Scheider, senior class president, because of his diverse array of experience. While he is known by students for his role as the teacher in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and as the host of the Emmy- award winning quiz show “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” Stein has also worked as a speechwriter for President Nixon, written a multitude of political and self-help books, and appeared as a regular political commentator for the CBS “Sunday Morning” news program.

“I think Ben’s extensive career has been extremely diverse,” Scheider said. “He’s played a huge role in the media, but he’s also done a lot for American politics. He’s at the forefront of major standpoints in our culture.”

Senior Christina Atti agreed Stein’s diverse background would represent the Class of 2005 well.

“I think Ben Stein is great,” Atti said. “I’m extremely happy to hear [he’s the choice]. I think he is hilarious and highly intelligent. He has done so much, as an actor, lawyer, economist and as a real person and he can share his advice and inspiring stories.”

Stein’s outspoken conservative politics were a concern during the selection process after several 2003 graduates and their parents were outraged with a politically-weighted address by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, founders of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, who criticized the war in Iraq during their speech.

“Unless some major political event happens between now and then, I’m not planning to talk politics at all,” Stein said. “I’m going to share what I’ve learned in my 60 years on Earth and share stories that will be relevant and interesting to any human animal. I might even throw in a few ‘anyone, anyone’ comments.”

Stein said he would talk mostly about current events and how he has learned to adapt to life.

“The choices and crises that students face are nothing compared to what they face when they get out,” he said.

Joe Hanson, a member of the senior class cabinet, said he knew the college administration was being careful about who they chose.

“I know that [Stein] is a very bright guy,” Hanson said, “and I’m hoping [Stein] will not feel restricted in what he can and can’t say because of what happened with Ben and Jerry. I want a graduation speaker to take the time and be knowledgeable of our class, our school and the Ithaca community.”

With over five months until the commencement, Stein said he was excited about the event.

“I’m looking forward to speaking at Ithaca. All I ask is that someone gives me a tour of Lake Cayuga.”

This year’s announcement occurred later in the semester than any other since 2001, when the speaker was identified in early March.

The process, which involves compiling suggestions from the class and submitting the list to a public relations firm, took abnormally long this year due to the high caliber of the candidates, Scheider said.

“The price has to be right, and the school has only ‘X’ amount of dollars,” she said. “The candidates’ jobs can take them anywhere at any time. Sometimes their schedules are booked seven years in advance. It’s just not realistic to think we can have someone like Lance Armstrong or Oprah Winfrey.”