Editorial : J. Craig Venter likely to offer strong, relevant commencement speech

J. Craig Venter will likely offer a strong and compelling speech at the 2011 commencement ceremony. Venter was a leading scientist on the Human Genome Project and ranked among Time magazine’s ‘People Who Mattered’ in 2010.

Venter offers a marked change from the long line celebrities, political figures and journalists who have spoken at Syracuse University’s commencement ceremonies throughout the past decade. This year’s commencement speaker caters to a new section of the SU student body. He should also appeal to journalism and public policy students interested in the vast and ongoing effects of his work on society.

In comparison to last year, Venter is a far less controversial speaker, and it is possible the university meant to play it safe with an academic whose achievements and relevancy are indisputable. Furthermore, May marks the third year in a row someone who already has ties to the university — Venter spoke at the Life Sciences Complex dedication in 2008 — speaks at commencement. Despite this, Venter remains a strong candidate for a graduation speaker and honorary degree.

Some students are expressing disappointment at not knowing who Venter is. But once they discover what he’s led — namely, one of the most important scientific undertakings of the century — they should immediately recognize how relevant their commencement speaker is and how important he was to advancing medicine, alternative energy, genetics and much else.

If college graduates do not know the crucial influences of the Human Genome Project and Venter’s research, then at least they’ll have the chance to learn on May 15.