Vice President Dick Cheney talked briefly about his close friend Jon Huntsman as part of the Huntsman Hall dedication ceremony Friday morning, according to those present at the speech.
The vice president spoke before an audience of about 300, including University administrators, Huntsman's large extended family -- which took up the first six rows of the auditorium -- and a few students.
The ceremony was closed to most University faculty, staff and students, and Cheney's office nixed plans for a live simulcast of the vice president's speech, though the vice president met with members of the College Republicans later in the day.
"The speech was good," said Jon Huntsman, Jr., son of Jon Huntsman and himself a Penn alumnus. "There were lots of heartfelt expressions."
Prior to Cheney's arrival, the Penn Glee Club sang for about half an hour. Then, University Board of Trustees Chairman James Riepe spoke, followed by Gordon Hinckley, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, of which the Huntsmans are members.
After Hinckley, Wharton Dean Patrick Harker spoke, then Huntsman's wife, Karen, introduced the vice president.
Cheney spoke for about five or 10 minutes and did not touch on any policy -- including the possible war on Iraq. He instead focused on Huntsman's philanthropic activities, according to people present during the ceremony.
Cheney talked about "the hall and how it came to be," according to Huntsman's granddaughter Mary Anne Huntsman.
"He didn't even mention anything about the war," Engineering junior Sandip Saha, a member of the Glee Club, said. "He basically was there to show his support and congratulate his friend Jon Huntsman and his accomplishment here and congratulate him on the type of person he was. There wasn't anything political about his speech."
"I don't think I've ever heard so many people speak so highly of one individual," said Wharton Graduate Association President Jennifer Bernstein, a second-year Wharton graduate student.
After his speech, Cheney introduced Jon Huntsman, who said after the ceremony that he enjoyed the whole ceremony very much.
"The whole thing was just overwhelming," Huntsman said.
Other people present said they felt privileged to have seen the vice president.
"It was really cool hearing him speak," Mary Anne Huntsman said.
"I guess it's not something I'd be able to do every day," Saha said. It was "lucky for me to actually have that opportunity to be there to see such eminent people in today's politics in person."
Bernstein said she was "thrilled" to have been invited to the ceremony but wishes more people had been able to hear about Jon Huntsman's strength of character.
"I think it was unfortunate that more students couldn't hear the story about what a generous and really self-made man Huntsman is," she said. "It really is a great example of working tremendously hard for something you really want."
Security was tight for the vice president's visit, with several dozen police officers and Secret Service agents closing the area around Huntsman Hall.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.