As students return from spring break, the end of the semester grows imminent and Commencement begins wearing on seniors’ minds. On Monday, the University announced the keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony – Julian Bond, the chairman of the NAACP. The Pulse hit the streets to gauge campus opinion regarding the University’s selection.

“I think it’s a good step in light of what happened early in this school year. Also, it’s been 40 years since the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. I’m all for it.”
Dave Boyajian, junior, Columbian College

“It should be interesting, especially in light of what’s been happening in the campaign and what happened here at GW.”
Andrew Miller, senior, Columbian College

“At least he’s better than Trachtenberg.”
Andrew Baca, senior, Columbian College

“This shows that we are the one university in Washington D.C. that can bring such notable speakers to campus. I look forward to seeing if the University can strike a fair balance by acknowledging people from the sciences with honorary degrees as well.”
Vishal Aswani, SA President-Elect, junior, SEAS

“It’s nice that it is someone with a different perspective. I’m interested to see if they bring their own agenda. I hope not. It should be about the students.”
Beth Cash, freshman, Columbian College