Over the past couple of days, a rumor quickly spread that the University had selected Emeril Lagasse, celebrity chef, as commencement speaker. For a while, seniors probably wondered if their graduation speech would focus more on Cajun cooking than inspirational advice.
But the fact that this hoax could gain any traction with the student body is a direct consequence of Penn's frustrating hesitance to announce the real guest of honor.
Obviously, the delay isn't caused by difficulties in finding a speaker. University Secretary Leslie Kruhly said that the guest was chosen "a number of months ago." And over the years, Penn has drawn in such eminent speakers as Hillary Clinton, Bill Cosby and Jim Lehrer. For the most part, the University's graduation speakers have been on par with peer institutions.
Announcing earlier would also increase publicity. Harvard revealed its choice of J.K. Rowling as graduation speaker on Jan. 17, while Princeton announced its speaker, Stephen Colbert, last September. Other Ivies, like Columbia and Cornell, announce later in the semester. By delaying until February, Penn ends up announcing the speaker in the middle of the pack.
Publicizing our choice this late makes a less-than-thrilling selection appear anticlimactic and unimpressive. And an exciting selection might just be overlooked in the rush of spring announcements.
Emeril's not speaking at Commencement, and Penn students deserve to know who is. Penn should announce earlier and stay ahead of the game.
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