More lights at commencement

To the editor:

I have attended three commencements at Southeast Missouri State University in the last five years and have watched graduates process and recess into and from a darkened room. I have tried to recognize graduates as they stand, also under lowered lights. I have many dark pictures. In preparation for Saturday's commencement, I shared with the university a desire of families and friends of graduates to see them.

What I received from several university staff members was a polite response that president Ken Dobbins wanted the lights kept low to calm the crowd from talking too much. This attitude is condescending and disrespectful to current and past graduates, their families and alumni. Meanwhile, the real problem is cloaked in darkness. Unless there has been a sea change, the purpose of the pomp and circumstance of commencement is still to parade the pride of the university in her students for all to see.

President Dobbins has made the university look foolish to those who remember the reason for commencement and appear indifferent and insensitive to the desires of the people it claims to serve. Though trivial to the university, this is important to me, and I hope to most commencement attendees. I want to ask the help of everyone who may see this simple request as reasonable and in the best interest of those attending commencement.

Please call the president's office (573-651-2222) or e-mail president Dobbins (president@semo.edu) and express your vote for light on this year's graduates.

PAUL T. LEHMANN, Fayette, Mo.