UDC Commencement Choice Draws Scrutiny

May 7, 2007 - 5:44pm

Mark Segraves, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - A controversy is brewing around a local college's choice for commencement speaker.

District leaders are questioning the president of the University of the District of Columbia on why he chose HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson to speak at Saturday's graduation ceremony.

D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and Mayor Adrian Fenty are concerned because Jackson has reportedly come out against a bill that would give the District a vote in the House of Representatives.

Norton has already spoken with University President Dr. William Pollard by phone, and Fenty says he plans on speaking with him as well.

A spokesperson for the university says Pollard picked Jackson for his inspirational message to African Americans. A spokesperson for secretary Jackson did not return calls.

UDC serves as the District's only public university.

Mark Segraves, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - A controversy is brewing around a local college's choice for commencement speaker.

District leaders are questioning the president of the University of the District of Columbia on why he chose HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson to speak at Saturday's graduation ceremony.

D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and Mayor Adrian Fenty are concerned because Jackson has reportedly come out against a bill that would give the District a vote in the House of Representatives.

Norton has already spoken with University President Dr. William Pollard by phone, and Fenty says he plans on speaking with him as well.

A spokesperson for the university says Pollard picked Jackson for his inspirational message to African Americans. A spokesperson for secretary Jackson did not return calls.

UDC serves as the District's only public university.

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