LEWISTON, Maine — Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro received a doctorate of fine arts during the 146th commencement of Bates College.
During a 15-minute address Sunday that was by turns sincere and irreverent, De Niro drew a steady stream of laughter from the 463 graduating seniors and more than 2,000 guests who gathered at the Lewiston campus.
De Niro, who left high school when he was a teenager to pursue an acting career, was one of three high-profile guests who received honorary degrees at the Bates College commencement. PBS “Newshour” senior correspondent Gwen Ifill and Princeton University molecular biologist Bonnie Bassler also were honored.
De Niro won a best actor Academy Award for “Raging Bull” and best supporting actor Oscar for “The Godfather, Part II.” He earned four more Oscar nominations.
None of the UMaine System’s seven campuses could ever have such prominent persons as speakers unless there was a direct connection to the State of Maine. The narrow-minded Trustees won’t allow anyone without such a connection to give a Commencement speech. Indeed, where the Trustees can decide important issues like tuition hikes in the course of minutes, they require almost two years to decide on honorary degree recipients. Speaks for itself.
Bates appears to be light years ahead of Colby in their choice of commencement speaker. DeNiro is an accomplished actor who has contributed much to the art and to our enjoyment.
Contrast with Blair the war criminal, convicted in an Indonesian court of law of crimes against peace. He is co-responsible for the deaths of thousands, the immense suffering of millions because of his choice to betray the military by distorting evidence so that he could help wage a illegal, unnecessary war. Our country is being bankrupted morally and financially to pay for it.