Jeffrey S. Flier is a professor of medicine and physiology at Harvard Medical School and former dean of the school. John Tomasi is president of Heterodox Academy.
University commencement ceremonies occupy a distinctive place in academic life. At once celebratory, ceremonial, aspirational, and institutional, they mark the culmination of years of study and the transition of students to the next stage of citizenship and professional life. At institutional events — organized, sponsored, and symbolically endorsed by schools and universities — speakers chosen to address graduates at commencements should respect the purpose of these events by not politicizing them.
Honoring this principle
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