Numerous students wrote an oped in the Princeton student newspaper expressing displeasure with the decision to make former Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch the senior “Class Day” speaker this June.
What We Know:
- Lynch was announced as the “Class Day” speaker last week. Unfotunately, students criticized the “Class Day” co-chairs who chose Lynch.
- The Class Day ceremony is planned and presented by the members of the senior class. Although it varies from year to year, the event traditionally gives seniors an opportunity to acknowledge public achievements and contributions of members of the class and University community.
- Students expressed disappointment in the selection process in general but not specifically with Lynch who they said had a great record of “social activism” and success on the field.
- Although they said they weren’t specifically criticizing Lynch, they mentioned that previous speakers like Corey Booker and Ellen Keller were great selections for “Class Day” because of their “ties to Princeton” as well as being “exceptional communicators”.
Marshawn Lynch hasn’t acknowledge the Op-Ed. He is set to be a free agent as of March 18th.
