Graduation Speaker Spreads Antisemitism At Ceremony, NYU Withholds Her Diploma
At New York University, a place not exactly known as a bastion of conservative thought. It seems a graduation ceremony took an unexpected turn, and for once, the university administration didn’t just wring its hands and mumble apologies to the disruptors. Instead, they took a stand, and it’s a story that’ll make you wonder if the tide is finally turning, even a little.
Our story centers on one Logan Rozos, a 24-year-old graduating student from NYU’s Gallatin School, who was selected by fellow students to deliver a commencement address. Now, you’d think that’s an honor, a chance to offer some uplifting words, perhaps a fond farewell. But Mr. Rozos, who self-describes as an “actor, artist, and gay black trans man,” apparently had other plans for his moment in the spotlight.
Instead of reflecting on academic achievements or future hopes, Rozos launched into a diatribe, declaring, “My moral and political commitments guide me to say that the only thing that is appropriate to say in this time, and to a group this large, is a recognition of the atrocities currently happening in Palestine.” He then went on to accuse Israel of “genocide,” a claim amplified by condemning supposed US “complicity,” all “paid for by our tax dollars.” Predictable, tiresome, and utterly out of place, but there you have it. Some in the crowd even cheered, which tells you a lot about the campus climate these days.
This is where things get interesting. Instead of cowering, NYU actually acted. The university swiftly announced it was withholding Rozos’s diploma. Why? Because, as it turns out, Mr. Rozos apparently isn’t just an aspiring orator of divisive rhetoric, but also, allegedly, not one for keeping his word.
NYU spokesman John Beckman didn’t mince his words.
“He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules.”
Beckman continued, stating NYU “strongly denounces the choice by a student…to misuse his role as student speaker to express his personal and one-sided political views.” The university even apologized that “the audience was subjected to these remarks and that this moment was stolen by someone who abused a privilege that was conferred upon him.” Imagine that! An institution actually holding someone accountable for breaking rules and hijacking an event. Refreshing, isn’t it?
Our story centers on one Logan Rozos, a 24-year-old graduating student from NYU’s Gallatin School, who was selected by fellow students to deliver a commencement address. Now, you’d think that’s an honor, a chance to offer some uplifting words, perhaps a fond farewell. But Mr. Rozos, who self-describes as an “actor, artist, and gay black trans man,” apparently had other plans for his moment in the spotlight.
Instead of reflecting on academic achievements or future hopes, Rozos launched into a diatribe, declaring, “My moral and political commitments guide me to say that the only thing that is appropriate to say in this time, and to a group this large, is a recognition of the atrocities currently happening in Palestine.” He then went on to accuse Israel of “genocide,” a claim amplified by condemning supposed US “complicity,” all “paid for by our tax dollars.” Predictable, tiresome, and utterly out of place, but there you have it. Some in the crowd even cheered, which tells you a lot about the campus climate these days.
This is where things get interesting. Instead of cowering, NYU actually acted. The university swiftly announced it was withholding Rozos’s diploma. Why? Because, as it turns out, Mr. Rozos apparently isn’t just an aspiring orator of divisive rhetoric, but also, allegedly, not one for keeping his word.
NYU spokesman John Beckman didn’t mince his words.
“He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules.”
Beckman continued, stating NYU “strongly denounces the choice by a student…to misuse his role as student speaker to express his personal and one-sided political views.” The university even apologized that “the audience was subjected to these remarks and that this moment was stolen by someone who abused a privilege that was conferred upon him.” Imagine that! An institution actually holding someone accountable for breaking rules and hijacking an event. Refreshing, isn’t it?
70-79, M
