Stephen Colbert is being touted as a possible commencement speaker

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Secretary of Defense Bob Gates and Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert?

Students have launched a campaign to bring Colbert as the spring commencement speaker, and Facebook groups with thousands of supporters have already started cropping up. 

The editorial board of the Red & Black appreciates the contributions of our past notable commencement speakers, but how about we shake things up a bit?

Known for his parody of Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly and all things conservative, Colbert has  garnered legions of fans — including many who will be sitting in the audience on graduation day. 

College graduation is a moment that students work their entire lives toward, but many can’t wait for the ceremony to end before it even begins. 

Colbert would surely lighten the mood for students regardless of their political affiliation and make a drawn out commencement that much more bearable. 

— Patrick Hooper and Yasmin Yonis for the editorial board