WPI recently announced that Rex Tillerson, Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil Corporation, was selected as WPI’s 2011 commencement speaker. Many support the invitation as they believe the leader of one of the biggest companies on the globe will have valuable advice to impart on the class of 2011. Others are upset, however, feeling that the decision does not align with WPI’s values of environmental preservation and social equity.
  ExxonMobil is the world’s largest and most profitable publicly traded oil company, and Tillerson was recently named by Fortune as one of the “25 Most Powerful People in Business.” Because of this, many students look forward to hearing Tillerson speak at their commencement. “I think it’s a really good choice. He [Tillerson] is such a good leader and role model. I think President Berkey wants to inspire us for things to come,” said Nouran Abdelkader ‘13.
  Over the past ten years, ExxonMobil has employed 31 WPI graduates. Michael J. Dolan, the senior vice president of ExxonMobil, graduated WPI in 1975.
  Those opposed to Tillerson take issue with ExxonMobil’s environmental track record. They believe that it does not coincide with WPI’s efforts to become a “greener” campus.
  WPI president Dennis D. Berkey is supportive of Tillerson’s selection. In a press release, he wrote “Rex Tillerson is one of this nation’s most successful business leaders, a recognized and respected authority on energy, a champion of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, and a friend to WPI.”
  The press release notes that ExxonMobil has given generously to WPI. Its gifts, which amount to more than $1.3 million, help to fund the university’s K-12 STEM outreach programs.
  Supporters also argue that it is important to build relationships with companies like ExxonMobil and that not doing so will hurt WPI students in the long run. “If we do not ‘associate’ with such companies, we further limit the potential heavyweight companies our students can work for. WPI is already fairly localized to the Northeast and, as a result, only about 40 companies come to our career fairs. Should we cut that number to 10?” questioned one student.
  Students against the choice of speaker have expressed concerns about ExxonMobil’s involvement in funding scientific think tanks charged with bias in their findings. “If WPI plans on giving Rex Tillerson an honorary degree, it would be a disgrace to the scientific integrity of our institution. Why? Because during his time as Vice President, ExxonMobil helped fund disinformation on global warming, the most pressing scientific issue of our time,” said Linnea Palmer Paton ‘11.
  Students for a Just and Stable Future (SJSF), an organization on campus that seeks solutions to climate change through political activism and education, has worked to coordinate responses to WPI’s selection of Rex Tillerson. One of their primary goals is to educate the community about ExxonMobil through a number of events, including informational fliers and a pledge encouraging students to engage in environmentally-friendly careers. The group also hosted a showing of Out of Balance, a documentary about ExxonMobil’s impact on climate change. Another goal of SJSF is to modify the commencement speaker selection process so as to allow more student involvement. Currently, the Board of Trustees selects the commencement speaker.
  Other students within SJSF are considering action at the graduation. Some are supportive of a walk-out when Tillerson begins his address. Recently, SJSF announced that it will be hosting an alternative commencement speaker. Richard Heinberg of the Post Carbon Institute, an environmental think tank, will be speaking during commencement separately from Tillerson.
  The WPI administration remains supportive of their decision to select Tillerson as commencement speaker. “Mr. Tillerson’s 36 years of experience, and his position as the leader [of] ExxonMobil, one of the world’s largest corporations, allow him to share a unique perspective regarding important ethical, economic and environmental implications of the global community. His expertise and position offer our graduates an important vantage point regarding the significance of their education,” President Berkey wrote.
  SJSF and others continue to voice their disapproval of the speaker, contending that the decision is in conflict with WPI’s values of sustainability. Palmer Paton writes “Choosing a speaker whose company has consistently put profits ahead of environmental integrity and innovation is typical of institutions willing to do little more than the status quo. Is this the kind of leader I want my beloved school to be? No, certainly we can do better.”