Seeing the well-publicized story of hundreds of Notre Dame students demanding that President Obama not be allowed the honor to speak at this year's Commencement address has served as yet another reminder why I have completely severed ties with the institution.
While I received a terrific, well-rounded education at Notre Dame, I have a hard time looking back fondly on my time there as the sheltered atmosphere and prevailing attitude of self-righteousness of the institution, to me, seemed oblivious of what lay ahead in the real world. Perhaps it's different now, but when I first entered, our class was told how special we were to be a part of the class at Notre Dame. And when I left, I remember the outcry of many members from the student body regarding the lack of name recognition and worthiness of our Commencement speaker - Condoleeza Rice, then provost of Stanford. During my time there, Notre Dame never seemed too aware of the outside world and those residing in it that may not have the same background or believe in the same things. Seems as if many of today's Notre Dame students wish to see that continued.
Patrick Wassar
alum
class of 1996
April 7
