Many students also support the president’s plans to speak at the Notre Dame Commencement

As a college student in the Notre Dame community, I have to say that it is indeed an honor to have President Obama come speak at Notre Dame’s commencement. He is not the first president to do so, and hopefully will not be the last. The 2008 Presidential Election was one of the most exciting races in history, with amazing campaigning and a new idea of “change” and “hope”. There is no doubt that many students at Notre Dame took part in this election — and many of them voted for President Obama. With the recent protests and disagreements with the idea that President Obama is now coming to campus, it is important to realize that he is not coming to campaign.

In all fairness, I admit that I was not an Obama supporter throughout the election season. I wasn’t thrilled with the outcome of the election, but I respect Barack Obama because he is our President, and I have to believe that he would not steer our country in the wrong direction. Do I agree with all of his beliefs and ideas? Certainly not, and there is a definite time for voicing those oppositions. However, the University of Notre Dame commencement ceremony is not one of those times.

President Obama is not coming to the University to speak about abortion, religion, or any other idea that might be considered conflicting to Notre Dame’s ethics, values, and beliefs. He is undoubtedly going to speak about hope and promise for the future of the graduating students. He is going to encourage them, give them advice, and provide them with a sense of security in his words. Issues of morality will not be brought up, simply because they are never brought up in graduation speeches. President Obama isn’t coming to South Bend to cause controversy, he’s coming to spark a fire in the graduating seniors of Notre Dame, and as a community, we need to fuel that fire.