Commencement speaker brings world experience

After commencement the list of alumni will grow.

But one new alumnus has served on and retired from the Australian High Court, is an internationally known human rights activist, has worked at the United Nations and has helped IU by working with the Kinsey Institute Board of Governors and Maurer School of Law.

This new alumnus is Justice Michael Kirby, recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree as well as the speaker who will address the Class of 2009 during the graduation ceremony Saturday.

“Graduates need a new broad view of the world,” said Liana Zhou, librarian at the Kinsey Institute. “Justice Kirby will bring a world view to graduates. It will be a very valuable gift.”

Kirby said his speech will illustrate the need for all educated people to have a more international outlook. He added that the topic of the speech, however, connects IU, the world and each individual while relating to Alfred Kinsey, to whom Kirby said he is personally in debt for his research.

“Kinsey’s name rings round the world,” Kirby said. “His institute is a jewel in the IU crown.”

Kirby was a member of the Kinsey Institute Board of Governors, and while he served on the board he traveled to the University at least once a year. Zhou said Kirby is very involved and committed to the institute’s library and archives.

He also encouraged the institute to collect materials and to translate its collection to other archives, she said.

Kirby was also the George P. Smith Professor at the Maurer School of Law. Lauren Robel, the school’s dean, said Kirby is a powerful speaker and a voice for the disadvantaged.

IU Alumni Association President and CEO Tom Martz said Kirby’s expertise includes human rights, how to address the world, the challenges it faces and how to relate to one other.

“Human rights are really relevant issues to moving out into the world,” Martz said.

He added more than 3,000 graduates as well as their family and friends will listen to Kirby’s address, and he said each person will have a different perspective on the speech. But he said he thought Kirby’s speech will have an interesting perspective, and graduates going out into the world should listen closely to hear Kirby’s insights.

“If they come in with open ears, they can gain a lot from his speech,” Martz said.

Kirby said his goal is for graduates to start thinking about the world and to emphasize the things everyone has in common.

Kinsey Institute Director Julia Heiman said what Kirby has to offer is genuine, serious and shows how important this generation can be. She said his actions answer the question, “What can I do to make a difference?”

She added that Kirby has a worldwide perspective and is focused on making the world a better place.

But Kirby said the University and its graduates also have a vital role in binding the world together through human rights. He said the University is a beacon of intellectual inquiry to the world with leaders such as Kinsey.

“Every IU graduate can lift their head high for the world-changing work done at IU,” Kirby said.

IU spokesman Larry MacIntyre said if someone is recognized for accomplishments with an honorary degree, that person should appeal to a wide variety of interests and be of value to students, and that is clearly the case this year.

Heiman said the speaker doesn’t have to be the president to make an impact.
“I don’t think this was a light choice,” she said.

As well as speaking at commencement and receiving an honorary degree, Kirby will become an alumnus of the University and be added to its roster of distinguished alumni.

Zhou said the University would be recognized for bringing a world leader who personifies world justice to commencement.

Although Kirby is not a household name, MacIntyre said Kirby is a well-known speaker and his message will impact graduates.

“To have someone of his prominence is something to be proud of,” MacIntyre said. “Not every school can attract someone world renowned, and we’ve done that.”