University of Illinois Wants Barack Obama to Give Commencement Speech

CHAMPAIGN, IL - The University of Illinois has asked former President Barack Obama to be its commencement speaker this spring, sharing a video this week that shows several current students making a plea to land the former commander-in-chief as one of the biggest names to deliver the final address at the school.

"At Illinois, we believe all of us have the chance to change the world,” the school wrote on its Facebook page on Monday. “For the past 150 years, Illinois has driven change in learning and labor. But we're just getting started, and we'd like the next chapter to start with you.

“Will you be our Commencement speaker?"

The official plea came with a video of numerous students trying to convince him to do it.

But not everyone was on board with the idea, which generated several comments both for and against Obama serving as this year’s commencement speaker.

“What a disgraceful decision,” one person wrote.

“This man will go down as the worst decision ever made for this country. As an alum, I'm embarrassed and disgusted that my alma mater would even consider this!!”

“Why, under any circumstances, would you invite a person whose own party lost an overwhelming number of elections at the national, state and local levels?,” another dissenter wrote. “As chaotic as he left the Democrat Party, his foreign policies created wars and revolutions throughout the Middle East. He developed an absolutely unworkable and unaffordable medical care system and has allowed illegal immigrants and street gangs make the streets of our cities unsafe. What could you possibly learn from him?”

But another alum called the idea a “fantastic” prospect.

“I think it would be a fantastic selection to have former President Obama as commencement speaker. During his 8 years in office, he has been at the forefront of world affairs and could share some unique insight into the United States place in the world and perhaps share a vision of our shared future. Like his policies our not, you have to agree that he always conducted the business of the presidency in a sober and thoughtful way.”

Another said it would be a memorable experience for the 2017 graduates.

“Graduated over 25 years ago. Obama would be a great inspirational speaker to the 2017 graduates. I don't even remember who spoke at my graduation. He would be memorable.”

The plea from the current students included powerful statements, such as:

“In 2009 many of us watched your inauguration from our middle school classes.”

“For some of us, you were the first presidential vote of our lives.”

“We’d be honored to have you speak to the 146th graduating class at the University of Illinois, back home in the state that gave you a chance.”

The University of Illinois has alums all over the country, but a high percent have remained in the state and in Chicagoland. What are your thoughts about the possibility of Obama delivering the commencement speech at your alma mater? Let us know in the comments below.