Northwestern University keeps one Jerry, boots the other
Northwestern University rescinded its offer to award an honorary doctoral degree to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright at the school's main graduation ceremony next month. The university plans to have alum Jerry Springer give its law school commencement address, however. The yanking of the invite is a first for Northwestern, which issued the following statement. From the Chicago Sun-Times:
"Commencement at Northwestern is a time of celebration of the accomplishments of Northwestern's graduating students and their families," the statement read. "In light of the controversy around Dr. Wright and to ensure that the celebratory character of commencement not be affected, the university has withdrawn its invitation to Wright."
In response to the disinivation, Wright was quoted by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram saying that NU President Henry Bienen told him he canceled the honorary degree of doctor of sacred theology "because I was not patriotic."
A Northwestern spokesman denies the veracity of Wright's claim.
Rev. Wright, Jerry Springer, Northwestern University
