The Shill on the Hill

Syracuse University President Nancy Cantor stands by her decision to invite Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan Chase chairman and CEO, to give the commencement speech at this year's graduation ceremony, despite vehement and vocal protests by students. JP Morgan Chase has a close collaboration with the university and has pledged 30 million dollars to the school. Cantor, in an April 9 email message sent to Syracuse University students, faculty and staff, and posted at the university's website, defended her selection of Dimon. Cantor claimed that "Mr. Dimon is playing a key role, front and center in addressing one of, if not the major global challenge(s) of our day." The president's message enthusiastically praises the CEO as a leader who "can speak with widely recognized authority to issues that inevitably will shape the landscape of opportunity and prosperity for all of our graduates, no matter their field or geographical location or perspective on the world."