Despite student pushback, Drury defends inviting Roy Blunt to speak at commencement

In an open letter, a group of graduating seniors protested Drury University's decision to invite retired U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt to speak at the May 11 commencement ceremony.

They said they don't want any politician to speak.

The letter signed by "The Collective" — and provided to the News-Leader — said inviting the prominent Republican was creating "tension" and causing students, staff and faculty to debate if they will attend or not.

"In a time when American politics are as divided as ever, inviting a well-known, controversial politician-turned-lobbyist is complicated at best," the group wrote.

In a response Tuesday, the university leadership announced the invitation will not be rescinded. They argued, in a lengthy statement, that the campus was established as a "sanctuary for ideas" and a place for civil discourse.

The pushback over Blunt's appearance comes during rumblings of unrest at colleges and universities across the U.S. that include protests over the Israel-Hamas war, the removal of commencement speakers and special honorees, and the cancelation of end-of-year events.

Blunt grew up in Niangua, graduated from Southwest Baptist University and Missouri State University and worked as a high school history teacher and Greene County Clerk and election officer before being elected Missouri Secretary of State.

Blunt, who spent three years as president of SBU, was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1997, where he served until he moved to the U.S. Senate in 2011. He was repeatedly re-elected until retiring from public office in 2023.

In the letter, students said actor Brad Pitt, who grew up in Springfield and still has family here, was "supposedly the administration's first choice."

They allege the Blunt invitation was an attempt to compensate for inviting former U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, a Democrat from St. Louis, to speak at the spring 2023 commencement.

In the letter, students allege many Drury donors, Board of Trustee members and others believe the university is "too liberal." The group wanted to speak with one voice and did not respond to a request to provide details about how many students were involved, although the group provided a document with unsigned comments from more than two dozen seniors.

"No matter students' political affiliations, many have one question on their minds: Why is the administration making graduation political?" the seniors asked. "Politicians should not be invited to speak at graduation."

More: MSU science hall to be renovated, expanded after being renamed for Sen. Roy Blunt

The students argued, in the letter, that no member of the Drury community should feel "unsafe or unwelcome" at commencement.

"Whether Blunt is a Republican, Democrat or Libertarian, his presence alienates members of Drury's tight-knit community on a day meant for celebrating together," they wrote.

"Family and friends should not be uncomfortable attending commencement to support loved ones; faculty and staff should not feel unwelcome, as they have helped students come so far; and students, above all, should not feel as though their graduation is being used as a political statement to appease a certain party to secure donations."

Here is the statement from the Drury leadership:

"One hundred and fifty years ago, the founders of Drury University were motivated to create an institution of higher learning to serve as a sanctuary for ideas; a place for civil discourse that could help to heal the wounds created by the great un-Civil War that tore the nation apart.

"That ideal has been the north star for the university and has been celebrated since 1873.

"Bringing commencement speakers to campus to serve as living examples of civility in service to Missouri and the nation, has been a long-standing tradition here at Drury University. This year is no exception.

"We are proud to announce that the Honorable Senator Roy Blunt will be this year's commencement speaker, especially as we close out a year of celebrating our heritage as a safe place for both conservative and liberal ideas and all the ones in between.

"Drury launched its 150th anniversary celebration at last year's graduation ceremony by welcoming another great Missourian engaged in the work of governing our country to be the speaker, the Honorable Richard "Dick" Gephardt.

"Showcasing two of Missouri's most prominent politicians as 'bookends' to the 150th anniversary celebration underscores Drury's commitment to welcoming opposing viewpoints.

"Former Senator Blunt will not be delivering a political speech at graduation. He is going to share his life lessons with our graduates to help them be successful no matter what they do or where they go. This is exactly the type of educational opportunity Drury was founded upon."

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Drury University defends Roy Blunt as commencement speaker