Governor Dan Malloy will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at the University of Bridgeport’s graduation exercises on Saturday May 10 at Webster Bank Arena. Will Mayor Bill Finch put aside his myopic opposition to UB and make an appearance?
Finch has basically boycotted all things UB following a financial infusion into the school by an arm of the Unification Church more than 20 years ago. The university has made a mighty comeback both on and off campus in recent years. U.S. News and World Report has recently ranked it as one of the nation’s top universities for online learning.
As an impressionable young man, Finch began researching the impact religious cults had on young people. The Professors World Peace Academy, an arm of Unification Church that saved the university from closure during the torturous recession of the early 1990s, was within Finch’s cultish scope, irrespective of the fact there’s no evidence students, staff, administrators or board members are operating under some seduction.
The University of Bridgeport is an unsung jewel of diversity in the city: it employs hundreds, educates thousands, with an economic impact in the countless millions. It’s the reason the South End of the city hasn’t imploded. The reason the annual Gathering of the Vibes music festival has an infrastructure for existence. The reason countless needy local kids have a higher education, a dental program and a chance for something better.
Mayoral operatives would like Finch to embrace the university that brings a lot of brain power to the table. Finch won’t set foot on UB campus, but might he attend a UB event at a city-owned facility such as the arena? Finch’s 2011 Democratic primary opponent Mary-Jane Foster, vice president of University Relations, has a strong relationship with the governor. Finch and Malloy, although never the best of buds, have developed a politically aligned symbiotic relationship. Malloy faces reelection this year; Finch next year.
More than 1100 graduates will receive degrees during the UB Commencement.
“Gov. Malloy is a most fitting speaker to inspire our graduates. He has been a champion of higher education and a longstanding supporter of UB,” said University President Neil A. Salonen, in a news release.
Malloy said, “The University of Bridgeport is in a transformative period, each year becoming more and more central to the growth of the regional economy while preparing students for 21st-century jobs in fields we are expanding right here in Connecticut. I look forward to continue working with this institution of higher learning to create a talented, well-educated workforce that attracts high-quality employers to our state.”
When the governor visits Bridgeport, Finch almost always attends. Will Finch be magnanimous or myopic? What’s in the best interests of the city?
Don’t forget, this is the university that fired Finch for incompetency.
Never learns does he, even at this time.
The question is, Governor To Deliver UB Commencement–Will Finch Show? Answer, no way, he is not man enough to see where he is wrong and change, oh that’s right, he not wrong.
Bill, if you go to the commencement you can use my joke about Gov. Malloy’s new minimum wage bill.
Grandma at 88 years old said she was going out to become a prostitute.
After a week, she finally came back home with 10 dollars and 10 cents.
Grandpa asked “who gave you 10 cents?”
Grandma replied “everybody gave me ten cents!”
I say Mayor Finch shows up. I believe he will show respect for the Governor and his city. It serves his best interest to be there. Good Public Relations. University of BRIDGEPORT is a major component of any South End development. The Mayor knows it. Yes I think any excuse not to be there would really be disappointing. The Mayor and the entire Common Council should be representing our city. The fact Governor Malloy is giving the commencement as well as receiving an honorary degree, it would be in extremely bad taste not to attend. Politically, it is in his best interest.
Steve, do you believe in the tooth fairy?
Yes … some of my best friends … lolololol.
Finch has openly worked against UB for years!
If UCONN bought BU it would revitalize Bridgeport within a month.
I agree, but I think thanks to our state delegation lacking in any imagination, drive or ambition. Stamford (again) was there to step up to get it. Plenty of political shenanigans played against Bridgeport as well (again).
You’re absolutely correct. Blame both Malloy and Weicker for that one. A takeover of UB would have been a turnkey operation. All they had to do was replace the signs to say “Univ. of CT, Bridgeport Campus.” Instead Stamford snookered Bridgeport’s geniuses and got the downstate campus.
Steve, I went to the groundbreaking for the Ernest Trefz Business School when the Governor was there. Finch sent Wood with a proclamation. My question was which wall in which bathroom would the proclamation be mounted. Finch should have been there. Not only for the Governor but Trefz is one of the City’s largest taxpayers. Grrrrrrrrr.
Finch was invited to the national gymnastics championship UB put on at the Arena. Malloy showed, Finch sent McCarthy. Expecting Finch to change or get suddenly smart is a waste of time.
Pretty sad commentary when a university is the only thing that prevents a neighborhood from imploding, is the reason kids have health services, blah, blah, blah–it’s supposed to be an institution of higher education, not some social justice teat that can nourish the masses! Go away–just go away.
Apparently, Mayor Finch has gotten away with it one time too many. This time it will be noted. Again to his benefit to show. I am certain Adam Wood is a nice guy and a good friend to Finch. McCarthy is a good guy and a loyalist, this time I am certain Mayor Finch will do the right thing. It would be a gross mistake to make any excuse. The entire council should go also and show support. The success of the University of BRIDGEPORT just helps the Mayor. Keep your personal business to yourself Mayor, you are representing me and 140,000-ish. You will have nothing better to do than support Malloy on his day and you will be happy you did. You’d shut the mouths of your adversaries.
Steven Auerbach, you make some good points. It goes back to what I said earlier, “he is not man enough to see where he is wrong and change, oh that’s right, he not wrong.” A MAN would recognize his mistake, look at the bigger picture and see what is best for the citizens of Bridgeport and attend but NOT Bill Finch, it’s all about him.
Dead men vote Democrat!
And often …