Controversy led about 85,000 speakers to drop out of commencement talks 1964 . Lyndon Johnson : It would be a shame if colleges only invited those who give bland , inoffensive speeches . Commencement speeches can be an opportunity to introduce bold ideas , he says . President Julian Zelizer made a stirring case in this year for his vision of a `` Great Society ''
Controversy led three speakers to drop out of commencement talks this year . Julian Zelizer : It would be a shame if colleges only invited those who give bland , inoffensive speeches . Commencement speeches can be an opportunity to introduce bold ideas , he says . President Lyndon Johnson made a stirring case in 1964 for his vision of a `` Great Society ''