Christie tells Rutgers grads to follow passion

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - After proposing massive financial cuts to education, Gov. Christie on Sunday received a muted reception when he accepted an honorary degree at Rutgers University's commencement.

When Christie was introduced to an audience of about 12,000 graduates and their families, who sat on folding chairs beneath tall shade trees, there was scattered enthusiastic clapping, followed by a few jeers and then a shout to "sit down."

Christie then began speaking, and after nearly 10 minutes of frank comments about the need to have courage and the need to follow one's life passion, the applause became warm and widespread before the governor took his seat.

Christie urged the graduates to pursue "something that captures your heart" even if that is different from their chosen profession or college discipline.

Missing was the defiance he has shown toward teachers' unions and critics who oppose his proposed cuts in education - including an 18 percent decrease in higher education - and his plan to impose spending limits that could lead to larger classes and fewer course offerings.

Rutgers gives an honorary degree to newly elected New Jersey governors. President Richard L. McCormick called it "a time-honored tradition" that "recognizes the enormous responsibility that comes with this position."

Last week, faculty members at the Seton Hall University School of Law, of which Christie is an alumnus, discussed whether they could disinvite the governor as a speaker at commencement this month. A private school, Seton Hall is not affected by the cuts in aid, but many faculty members were upset at Christie's decision not to reappoint state Supreme Court Justice John Wallace. In the end, they decided he would speak.

Christie says he wants to balance the high court with judges who are not activists; legal scholars say his move could jeopardize the independence of the judiciary. Wallace is the first justice in the state since 1947 to not be granted tenure.

At Rutgers, McCormick said he was pleased to confer honor upon Christie, and noted his "years of service as a county freeholder and the state's chief federal law enforcement officer" and finally as governor.

"In only a few short months as New Jersey's 55th governor and in light of a weakened economy, high budget deficit, and high tax burden facing the state, you have undertaken bold initiatives and made difficult decisions," McCormick said, clearing his throat after the phrase "bold initiatives."

The university administration was among other public college and university leaders who publicly criticized Christie after he recently announced that he endorsed cuts in higher education and penalties for colleges that raised tuition beyond a certain percentage to make up for the shortfall. Students also protested, waving red flags, according to the university newspaper, the Daily Targum. Students said they were upset that Christie was not a supporter of education.

But on Sunday there was no such protest among the graduates, families, and faculty. Christie didn't mention his education policies, choosing instead to exhort graduates to celebrate their degrees but not to be afraid to change course in their lives if their hearts dictated it. He cited John Knowles, who got a doctorate in physics in Texas but quit his job as a senior engineer and became a Nashville guitarist. "Do whatever it is you like," Christie said.

Christie also told graduates to keep an open mind and welcome diverse opinions, saying he gained valuable insight from a college poetry class he initially had not wanted to take.

The keynote address was delivered by Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation and former leader of the National Organization for Women. She said the feminist and civil rights movements had made great strides, but warned that there was still work to do.

"For more than four decades we've been struggling to end discrimination," she said. She encouraged students to join the fight, saying, "We need you."