On the heels of last semester’s controversial graduation speaker, a committee has been formed to choose future commencement speakers, most recently alumna Stacia Haynie.
Debbie Barrow, director of board and government relations, said the Faculty Senate introduced the idea for a committee after University President Jesse Rogers chose Ben Carson to deliver last May’s address.
“It’s always good to have people to bounce your ideas off of, and that’s how this committee makes the process easier,” Barrow said. “It also helps to get the word out that we are always looking for speakers for the commencement address, particularly alumni and state government officials.”
Haynie is a 1977 graduate of Henrietta High School. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in theatre in 1981 and then a master of arts in political science in 1986, both from MSU.
“I’m very honored,” Henrietta native and Louisiana State University professor Haynie said. “I’d heard about the new process of picking the speakers, and I’m just really glad they chose me.”
According to The Wichitan article “Faculty Plan to Protest in Response to Graduation Speaker” written in May, the Faculty Senate passed a motion 14-4 by secret ballot, stating “the process should include students, faculty and administrators so that recommendations for candidates for speaker can be made to the president.”
The committee was designed to ensure the students would have more power in the selection process, and therefore more pride in their graduation ceremony. Four committee members made the decision for this semester’s speaker, including Chair of the Faculty Senate David Carlston, Chair of the Staff Senate Dirk Welch, President of the Student Government Melody Coffey and Rogers.
Haynie is the author of Judging in Black and White: Decision Making in the South African Appellate Division, 1950-1990. She has presented her research in articles in numerous political and policy journals, as well as several professional conferences.
“Although speaking to large groups of people isn’t anything new to me, if you are wise you approach things like this with trepidation,” Haynie said. “I’ve certainly addressed audiences before, but not like this. It’s exciting, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to do this.”
Haynie was named Outstanding Education Student at MSU in 1981. In 1989 she was named outstanding graduate student in political science at the University of North Texas, and earned her doctorate in political science from UNT in 1990. Among numerous other awards and honors, Haynie was named Distinguished Alumna by MSU’s department of political science in 1999 and the Fain College of Fine Arts in 2011.
“She was actually a student assistant for us when she was here,” Rogers said. “She was a great choice and we’re just glad she was available to do this.”
Barrow said the committee meets once a year to discuss the upcoming year’s graduation speakers. When the committee met a few weeks ago to discuss this semester’s speaker, Barrow said the choice was obvious.
“We had quite a few people to choose from, and [Haynie] just rose to the top,” Barrow said.
Approximately 516 students are candidates to earn their degrees Dec. 14. Barrow said the May commencement speaker would probably be from the political arena.
“I want to let the graduates know that once they graduate, they become part of a privileged group,” Haynie said. “I feel like graduating from MSU has afforded me the ability to pursue my passion, and I’m so thankful for that.”
