Questions about Chief Justice William Rehnquist’s record and background have incited debate about the commencement speaker in some corners of the campus.Some have wondered whether a person with an arguably racist background should be permitted to come to campus, while others have questioned bringing a “big name” speaker to speak at commencement. Calvin has traditionally invited speakers who are either currently at the college or have been significantly molded by the Reformed vision Calvin teaches. In that vein, speakers like Alvin Plantinga, Lewis Smedes, Gloria Stronks and Roberta Ahmanson have spoken at commencement in the past few years.Choosing Rehnquist this year is a departure from that tradition, and has cast a number of questions on the selection process and the nature of commencement.

In response, History Professor Randall Jelks is spearheading a move to purchase a full-page ad in the Grand Rapids Press to lay out some concerns about Rehnquist. He and other professors are meeting today to discuss the letter and work out financial issues; a full-page ad costs $5,000.

A number of conversations about Rehnquist will also take place next week. An item labeled “Commencement speaker discussion” is up near the top of the agenda of the Faculty Senate meeting on Monday.

In addition, a forum will be held specifically for discussion of Rehnquist. The forum, which will be moderated by Vice President for Student Life Shirley Hoogstra and is being organized by Student Life and the Provost’s office, will be held next Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m. The location has not yet been firmly decided, but the forum will most likely be held in the Lab Theater. Several professors and two students will sit on the panel: the professors have not yet been decided, but the students will be Brian Bork and Josh Pater. The audience will also have the opportunity to ask questions

Reaction among graduating seniors has been mixed. “I think it’s great that he’s going to come. It’s a big deal and I’m proud to have him here,” said Brandon VanDerHeide. “Graduation is only graduation, and it’s more for the college’s image than it is for us, anyway. It’s not about the senior class; it’s about the college.”

“My issue is that I’m working hard against racism of any sort, including race prejudice,” said LauraJo Johnson. “So naturally I’m not very happy about having someone with that kind of background as speaker. I don’t want to be disrespectful and picket, but I would like Calvin to make Rehnquist understand that we don’t support racism. ... As a senior, I’d like to have some kind of say in who’s speaking. It would have been nice to know prior to the articles that went out last week.”

“I think it’s ok; I think he’s changed in his views over the years,” said David Pierson. “On the whole, I think it’s great he can come to speak.”

“It’s disturbing that Calvin claims to want to fight racism and spread diversity on campus, and has someone be the key speaker at graduation who is commonly known as having sponsored racist things,” said Zach Evans. “It says a lot about Calvin.”

The decision to invite Rehnquist was made by President Gaylen Byker, in consultation with Provost Joel Carpenter and a number of faculty and staff.

At that time, questions about Rehnquist’s record were not raised.

“He’s one of the most important public figures in our country, and I certainly hear a lot of students who are enthusiastic about having him speak,” said Byker. “But I appreciate having commencement be primarily focused on the Christian liberal arts education that we have here. I don’t think it would be a good idea to do this on a regular basis and I don’t plan to.”

Byker challenged some of the arguments against Rehnquist, saying “these are very contested points. ... I’d be very careful about calling people names and doing an ad hominem attack.”

He also said inviting a speaker does not indicate agreement with the person or the message. “We have speakers of all kinds around here that we don’t agree with. If we can’t listen to someone whom we disagree with politely and civilly, we’re in serious trouble.”

Byker said the college wouldn’t consider uninviting Rehnquist. “We don’t do things like that around here,” he said.

He also confirmed rumors that Rehnquist would leave after his speech instead of waiting to watch the graduates receive their diplomas. “He cannot sit long-term; he has a serious back condition. It has nothing to do with respect, it has to do with his back,” he said.

Hoogstra said Calvin needs to be hospitable to Rehnquist.

“I think that we have to be true to who we are as a Christian college with its particular mission and I think we have to be a witness to the stranger who is in our tent,” said Hoogstra. “That includes both hospitality and a sense of community discussion around issues but when you invite a stranger into your tent, the first thing that you don’t do is point out your differences necessarily. But you certainly have a responsibility within your family to discuss it openly.”

Hoogstra said having Rehnquist come to Calvin fits under the college’s mission.

“The mission of this college is to engage the world and bring every square inch under the lordship of Jesus Christ,” she said. “The only way we can do that is to have contact with every part of the world, and certainly the judicial system is something that we have to engage in. To that extent, having William Rehnquist come is part of our mission.”

Asked if it was a mistake to invite Rehnquist, Hoogstra said, “No. Calvin, if it’s going to be a world player, shouldn’t be afraid of this kind of speech.”

Asked if it was a mistake to invite him to commencement, Hoogstra said, “I’m not going to comment.”

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