SU students share mixed reactions to Carmelo Anthony as Class of 2025 commencement speaker
SU students share reactions to Carmelo Anthony as commencement speaker
Orange Pulse survey reveals varied student opinions and excitement on the Class of 2025 commencement speaker.
It wasn’t an April Fool’s joke – on April 1, Syracuse University announced that first-ballot Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and 2003 Syracuse NCAA basketball champion Carmelo Anthony will be the 2025 commencement speaker. Compared to recent commencement speakers, such as the former Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella in 2024 and former U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala in 2023, there’s no doubt that “Melo” jumps off the page.
Anthony’s selection as keynote speaker comes at a meaningful time, as his son, Kiyan, is set to enroll at his alma mater and join the basketball team in the fall. In light of the announcement, Orange Pulse surveyed 52 Syracuse University students to gauge their reactions – and opinions on the selection were mixed.
Most students are surprised and satisfied
Just over 40% of the Syracuse University students surveyed said they were “pleased and surprised” by the choice of Carmelo Anthony as commencement speaker. The next most common responses – “pleased but not surprised” and “neutral” – each received 17.3% of the vote.
Anthony is certainly a well-known and accomplished figure in the Syracuse community, so it’s no surprise that a large portion of SU respondents are pleased, even if not surprised – possibly due to the recent news of his son’s recruitment and Anthony’s induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Tempered expectations
We also asked respondents about their excitement regarding Carmelo Anthony being the commencement speaker.
About 35% of respondents answered they were “extremely excited,” while 27% reported being “somewhat excited.” However, more than a quarter of students expressed low enthusiasm, with 17% saying they were “not very excited” and 14% claiming they were “not excited at all”.
The responses suggest a divide in student enthusiasm, hinting at a possible mismatch in expectations for Anthony’s commencement speech, which is now less than a month away.
Could there have been a better choice?
To better understand students’ mixed reactions, we asked respondents whether they would have preferred a different commencement speaker.
Nearly 35% of respondents said they would have preferred someone other than Anthony to deliver the 2025 commencement address. Among the recommendations were Aaron Krause, CEO of Scrub Daddy; Derek Blasberg, an NYU graduate and media personality; and Kermit the Frog (because why not?).
However, a common criticism centered on the fact that Anthony only spent one season/school year at Syracuse. For many students, commencement marks the culmination of three to four years of hard work, leading some to favor a speaker whose academic journey more closely mirrors their own — rather than that of a “one-and-done” college star turned NBA All-Star.
Carmelo, take notes!
We concluded our survey by asking students what topics they would like Carmelo Anthony to address during his commencement speech. A common request was for him to speak about life beyond basketball and his personal journey from arriving at Syracuse to achieving NBA stardom.
Many respondents said they hope he reflects on his time at Syracuse, particularly the 2003 national championship run, and how his connection to the university and the Syracuse community has affected his life. Some students also expressed interest in hearing about how to achieve success through nontraditional paths, such as Anthony’s decision to go pro after just one season at Syracuse.
All things considered, Anthony is likely the first A-list celebrity to speak at a Syracuse commencement since Billy Joel in 2006. So whether students are pro or anti-Melo come May, the 2025 commencement will no doubt be one to remember.