{"id":230939,"date":"2026-05-14T02:46:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T02:46:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/230939\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T02:46:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T02:46:23","slug":"nyu-students-whine-about-commencement-speaker-choice-after-renowned-professor-called-their-generation-coddled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/230939\/","title":{"rendered":"NYU students whine about commencement speaker choice after renowned professor called their generation coddled"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whiny New York University students are in an uproar after renowned social psychologist<\/a> and bestselling author Jonathan Haidt \u2014 who has argued that Gen-Zers are coddled and anxious \u2014 will deliver their commencement speech.<\/p>\n

Haidt, a psychologist at NYU\u2019s Stern School of Business, was chosen by the school to deliver the 2026 graduation address at Yankee Stadium on Thursday \u2014 with administrators hailing him as one of the \u201cmost consequential scholars of the 21st century.\u201d<\/p>\n

But an ultra-woke group of student government leaders quickly tried to derail his address, arguing in a lengthy and nonsensical statement<\/a> that NYU\u2019s selection proves the youngsters are completely \u201cmisunderstood\u201d and that Haidt doesn\u2019t \u201caccurately reflect the values and diversity of its graduates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"JonathanJonathan Haidt, a psychologist at NYU\u2019s Stern School of Business, will deliver the 2026 graduation address at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Student Government Assembly\u2019s executive committee, which is made up of just a handful of students, claimed the commencement speaker should mirror the \u201cambition and diversity\u201d of graduates \u2014 offering up Taylor Swift as an example.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn past years, NYU has set a gold standard, welcoming prestigious speakers, such as Molly Shannon, Taylor Swift, Martha Minow, Sanna Marin, David Boies, Sherrilyn Ifill, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, to name a few,\u201d the students wrote in the statement posted on social media. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe abrupt derailment from this trend is not merely anticlimactic; it is a regression. This shift suggests an unfortunate disconnect between the administration\u2019s selection process and the reasonable expectations of its students.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the handful of students urging the school to reconsider, NYU said there were zero plans to stop Haidt from taking the stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cProfessor Haidt is one of the most consequential scholars of the 21st century. His work has changed the world, reshaping how we understand technology\u2019s impact on polarization and isolation,\u201d NYU spokesperson, Wiley Norvell, told The Post. <\/p>\n

\"NYUNYU said there were zero plans to stop Haidt from taking the stage during Thursday\u2019s commencement. Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cHe teaches one of the most popular classes at NYU and his latest book has been on the Times\u2019 bestseller list for 100 weeks running. We\u2019re excited he\u2019ll be on our stage to share something truly meaningful with this year\u2019s graduates.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Haidt has several bestselling books under his belt<\/a>, including \u201cThe Coddling of the American Mind\u201d in which he makes the case that good intentions but bad ideas are setting Gen-Z up for failure. <\/p>\n

In his latest groundbreaking book, \u201cThe Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,\u201d Haidt defined the shift from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood.<\/p>\n

The students who voiced objections over Haidt\u2019s selection claimed the decision left them \u201cfeeling that their
commencement, intended to be a celebratory moment, has instead become another instance of being misunderstood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas he the safest option considering the current political climate and his critiques of liberal ideology? Does NYU lack the necessary funding for the honorarium? Were all other contenders unavailable? Is this yet another effort to push the IRL narrative?\u201d the student\u2019s wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a growing consensus across campus that this selection was less about honoring the graduates and more about amplifying a singular narrative while simultaneously averting risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe there is immense potential in this institution and in its leaders, but fear that recent decisions have, and will continue, to cause unnecessary disappointment and resentment. In an effort to uphold the values of inclusion, care, and respect for the graduating class, we respectfully ask for the appropriate committee to reconsider the decision,\u201d they added. <\/p>\n

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