Last week, a work group formed by President Tom Rochon to address Ithaca College’s graduation ceremonies announced on Intercom that the 2010 Commencement speaker will be a “notable alumnus ... or faculty member who has a deep connection to the institution.” This is a notable change from past years and what upcoming graduates have come to expect from the institution.

 In its announcement, the work group offered no reason for choosing a faculty or alumnus to speak instead of a more prestigious figure from outside the college. The announcement offered no insight as to how the speaker would be picked other than he or she would have a “deep connection to the institution” and be able to deliver a personalized message to graduates.

Colleges with high academic integrity bring big names to Commencement ceremonies, and the college should follow suit. While the college has many notable faculty members and alumni, a speaker from outside the college community has much more to offer graduates who will soon enter the real world. Such speakers offer perspectives from outside the college that students may have not heard before. Speakers should challenge future graduates and prepare them for the real world outside of Ithaca, N.Y., and the college borders. At a time when the endowment has fallen and alumni donations are down, it is a smart decision to save money. However, the college should make every effort to send its graduates away as pleased with their college experience as possible to encourage future positive alumni relations.

For this year’s Commencement speaker, the college should strive to choose an alum that can offer graduates an inspirational send-off with a perspective from outside the college. The college administration is urged to seek ways to keep the tradition of notable speakers at its future Commencement ceremonies to give graduates the proper recognition and farewell they have earned.