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INDEX
Vol. CXXX, No. 76
©2022 The Michigan Daily
N E W S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
A R T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
M I C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
O PIN IO N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
S P O R T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
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UMich celebrates in the Big House for first in-person
commencement since 2019
JULIANNE YOON & SARAH BOEKE/DAILY
The
University
of
Michigan’s
Spring 2022 commencement featured
an aerial exhibit of the “Hail to the
Victims” movement, the awarding of
five honorary degrees and journalist
Maria Shriver as commencement
speaker — all within the confines
of the Big House on Saturday for
the University’s first fully in-person
commencement ceremony since 2019.
Nearly an hour before the ceremony
began, a banner reading “Hail to the
Victims” flew above the stadium to
express solidarity with survivors of
sexual assault. In an April 27 press
statement obtained by The Michigan
Daily, the coalition of U-M faculty,
survivors and allies who sponsored
the banner wrote that they wanted to
signal support for survivors of sexual
assault on the University’s campus.
Five members of the coalition
jointly wrote the press statement:
Art & Design professor Rebekah
Modrak,
U-M
alum
and
Bruce
Conforth survivor Isabelle Brourman,
U-M
researcher
Jane
Hassinger,
U-M alum Cassie McQuater and Jon
Vaughn. The statement alleged that
Interim University President Mary
Sue Coleman was complicit in sexual
assault crimes at the University,
citing a 2020 report from the law
firm WilmerHale that alleged then-
President Coleman had been aware
of allegations of sexual misconduct
by former Provost Martin Philbert as
early as 2010.
“Interim
President
Coleman
is without question implicated in
contributing to and sustaining the
pattern of denial and cover-up of the
crimes of sexual assault and harassment
at the University of Michigan,” the
statement reads. “Despite her claims
that she is in dialogue with survivors,
she has refused to meet with (Robert)
Anderson or Conforth survivors.”
In an interview with The Daily,
2022 U-M graduate Morgan Jonas said
seeing the banner spread awareness
about the “Hail to the Victims”
movement was inspiring.
“It’s really empowering to see men
taking a stance, taking back their life,
protesting and taking action upon it,”
Jonas said. “I feel for them, I feel for
their story. I hope they are doing well
and love what they are doing here.”
The ceremony kicked off at 10
A.M. with a rendition of Flor Peeters’
Entrata, followed by a performance
of the national anthem. University
Provost Susan M. Collins gave the
welcome speech, reflecting on the
challenges, such as the COVID-19
pandemic, that the University and its
graduating students have faced over
the past few years.
“As we’ve learned over the past
two years, persistence contributes to
resilience and to innovation,” Collins
said. “Through this very challenging
time, you’ve kept working often in new
ways, and we’re so proud of all you’ve
accomplished: you adjusted to virtual
education and welcomed ways that
enabled you to connect with people
around the world.”
UMich welcomes Dr. Fauci and 2020, 2021 graduates for ‘Comeback
Commencement’ in the Big House
The
University
of
Michigan
welcomed 2020 and 2021 graduates
who missed out on normal graduation
ceremonies due to the COVID-19
pandemic for Saturday’s “Comeback
Commencement” in the Big House,
featuring Dr. Anthony Fauci as
commencement speaker.
Fauci, who currently serves as
director of the National Institute
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
and chief medical advisor to the U.S.
president, has remained a prominent
— and to some, controversial — figure
throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regent Jordan Acker (D) presented
Fauci with an honorary Doctor of
Science degree, as recommended by
the Board of Regents.
In his commencement speech,
Fauci spoke about the extreme
polarization and “normalization of
untruths” that he has witnessed while
working as a public health official in
Washington, D.C.
“What
troubles
me
is
that
differences of opinion or ideology
have, in certain circumstances, been
reflected by egregious distortions of
reality,” Fauci said. “Sadly, elements of
our society have grown increasingly
unfazed by a cacophony of falsehood
and lies that often stand largely
unchallenged, ominously leading to
an insidious acceptance of what I
call the ‘normalization of untruths.’
We see this happen daily, propagated
through a range of information
platforms, social medias and so-called
news organizations. And sad to say,
certain elected officials in positions of
power.”
Fauci called on graduates to
push back against these falsehoods
and maintain a critical eye for the
information they receive.
“Do not shrug your shoulders
and accept the normalization of
untruths,” Fauci said. “Because if you
do, lies become dominant and reality
is distorted. And then truth means
nothing. Integrity means nothing.
Facts mean nothing.”
Fauci
closed
with
optimistic
remarks about the future, encouraging
the audience to embrace that which
brings them joy.
“Allow yourselves to cultivate this
joy as much as you do your professional
accomplishments,” Fauci said. “Think
upon your future as that stated by
the American political theorist, John
Homer Shaar, and I quote, ‘The future
is not someplace we are going to, but
one we are creating. The paths are not
to be found, but made. And the activity
of making them changes both the
maker and the destination.’”
The audience gave a standing
ovation following Fauci’s remarks.
In an interview with The Michigan
Daily,
2020
graduate
Austin
Thompson said he thought the speech
was “very inspirational.”
ACADEMICS
IRENA LI
Summer News Editor
IRENA LI & NIRALI PATELI
Summer News Editors
ACADEMICS
Read more at michigandaily.com
Read more at michigandaily.com
IN TWO WEEKS
TWO COMMENCEMENTS
TWO COMMENCEMENTS