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Ricketts’ Selection as Graduation Speaker Sparks Petition

Pete Ricketts
Pete Ricketts

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — Officials say the governor still will appear at Hastings College next month, despite some dissatisfaction with his selection as a commencement speaker.

A petition signed by more than 360 people so far calls on college President Don Jackson to express the college’s support of gay, bisexual, transsexual, intersex and asexual students “and commit to promoting diversity on campus” in his commencement address. The petition drive began after it was announced last week that Gov. Pete Ricketts would speak at the May 14 ceremonies.

Jackson says some members of the campus community don’t agree with Ricketts’ stands. The governor opposes same-sex marriage and has said he’s against a legislative bill that would have barred discrimination against employees based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

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