Danny Glover to speak at commencements at Utah State University.

When knowing about this university’s unfortunate choice I sent them a brief letter, as follows:
Dear
Utah State University recently announced that Hollywood actor and activist Danny Glover will receive an honorary degree and deliver the commencement address at graduation ceremonies on May 8, 2010. The Board of trustees of the university approved this.
Considering the record of Danny Glover in support of the dictatorships of the Castro brothers in Cuba and Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and considering his plea for the life of Sadam Hussein and his attacks on the U.S. government in international meetings of the extreme left and during his visits to Venezuela, all of these activities easily documented, I fail to see why this person should be so honored by an academic institution of great prestige, one that stands for freedom and democratic principles. Could you explain?
Regards,
Gustavo Coronel
Apparently this was not the only letter they received because they felt the need to produce a statement in this regard. I transcribe the statement below. I find it weak for two reasons:
(1), it ties the choice to a Mr. Glover’s film project related to Utah State University. Is this all it takes to be selected? Going to campus once before to speak about poet Hughes is not a very strong reason either. I would like to point out that Glover received $18 million from Hugo Chavez about three years ago for a film project that has not yet materialized. I hope Utah Sytate University is more fortunate than Chavez.
(2), the university claims that it is a tradition of higher education to confront ideas. This is true. However, this can not be understood as a valid reason to extend an official invitation that looks like an endorsement to a person known to cohort with the worst type of dictators such as the Castro brothers and Hugo Chavez. In Venezuela, Glover’s efforts have been a contributing factor to the emergence of a racial tension that did not exist before.

University Statement Regarding Commencement Speaker Choice
American actor, film director and humanitarian Danny Glover will speak at Utah State University’s 123rd annual commencement ceremony on May 8. Mr. Glover’s selection was vetted by a university committee and ratified by the university’s Board of Trustees.

Mr. Glover has notable USU connections. He is currently in the process of developing a film about USU football player Lionel Aldridge, who had a successful career in the National Football League but also struggled with mental illness. And Mr. Glover came several years ago to campus and spoke about the poet Langston Hughes.

With the formation of the new Caine College of the Arts and the university’s well-known performing arts programs, it is especially fitting to have a person of Mr. Glover’s skills and distinctions as an actor and to provide opportunities for our students to hear, up close, from a man of such notable career accomplishments.

Mr. Glover is known for his involvement in social issues and causes, as well, focusing on poverty, disease, and economic development in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. He has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2004.

Since the media announcement, the university has already received several emails and phone calls from individuals who have expressed concern over Mr. Glover’s political activism. The participation of any or our speakers on campus does not imply endorsement of their political views or social stands. The university does, however, strongly advocate providing opportunities for its students to be exposed to a wide range of expression and thought. It is a longstanding tradition of higher education to confront ideas, even if everyone may not necessarily agree with them.