20,000 to hear Cheney at BYU: He'll get honorary doctorate

PROVO — Air Force Two will deliver the vice president of the United States to Utah this afternoon, when Dick Cheney will speak to more than 20,000 people during commencement exercises at Brigham Young University.

BYU will award Cheney an honorary doctorate of public service during ceremonies that begin at 4 p.m. Cheney will arrive in Salt Lake City shortly before 2 p.m. and will meet with the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City at 2:30 p.m.

The First Presidency invited Cheney to BYU in January after the White House indicated he would be willing to speak at commencement. BYU had invited President Bush in 2006, but his schedule didn't allow Bush to accept.

In its invitation to Cheney, LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley and counselors President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust wrote, "Along with BYU graduates, their parents and the faculty and staff, we would be honored to welcome you on this special occasion and to hear your commencement address."

The vice president's visit is expected to be popular with the majority of graduates, their family members, faculty and staff. More than 1,000 people signed an online petition supporting Cheney's visit.

Opposition to the visit is drawing national media attention because Utah Valley is a conservative stronghold where Republicans and unaffiliated registered voters who generally vote Republican outnumbered Democrats 21-to-1 at the November 2006 elections.

At least three demonstrations taking issue with Cheney are planned today in Provo and Salt Lake City, and a student-organized alternative commencement featuring Ralph Nader will be held at Utah Valley State College at 7:30 p.m.

Nearly 4,000 people signed an online petition asking BYU and the church to withdraw the invitation to Cheney. The organizers of that petition said Wednesday they will present their list to the LDS Church's Public Affairs Department next week.

The announcement that BYU would award Cheney an honorary doctorate caused an additional stir on Wednesday, with some faculty and students who oppose the vice president's politics and policies. Some said the degree adds a measure of endorsement for Cheney that made them uncomfortable and that BYU was wise not to announce the degree until late Tuesday.

"One does wonder what message BYU intends to send with this," political science professor Darren Hawkins said. "Honorary degrees are sometimes conferred by universities to proclaim their approval of the honoree's character and qualities, and if that's what BYU intends to do, I disagree wholeheartedly with the award of an honorary degree. I don't think BYU should be commending Vice President Cheney's character or actions to anyone.

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