Image of Daisey via BusinessWeek
According to an email sent to students of Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Mike Daisey was scheduled to deliver a commencement speech at the college’s graduation this year and receive an honorary degree. Following his false claims about Apple supply chain worker conditions, the school and Daisy have agreed to revoke his speech honor and honorary degree. Here’s the letter:
Following the sending of this email to students of the college, Daisey posted a response on his own blog. Daisey says that his removal from the ceremonies and loss of the honorary degree were mutually reached decisions. Daisy does seem upset, though, at the nature of the announcement:
Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,
Many of you shared our excitement when we announced that Mike Daisey would be one of the 2012 recipients of an honorary degree and would speak at Commencement. Since then, Mr. Daisey has acknowledged that he personally did not witness all the events that he said he did, and he exaggerated the level of his own experiences to journalists.
Since its founding by Nellie Cornish in 1914, Cornish College of the Arts has educated and prepared students to contribute to society as artists, citizens, and innovators. One essential principle of that education is the importance of professional integrity. Because of that foundational value, Cornish will not award an honorary degree to Mr. Daisey. Cornish and Mr. Daisey have mutually agreed he will withdraw from commencement. Commencement is the day when we honor our students for their achievements; the focus of this day is properly on the students and their families.
The above email to Cornish students is not the college’s official and public announcement, but one delivered only to students for the time being.
