The Red and Black

Issue date: 5/10/08 Section: News

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas [Click to enlarge]

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas told graduating seniors at the University he wanted to be a Bulldog. But the nation's second black high court justice said he couldn't attend the school in his native Georgia because of lingering racial tensions in the South when he graduated high school in the late 1960s.

Attending UGA was "not an option," Thomas told the crowd of student and parents at Saturday's UGA graduation. "Thankfully much has changed in my lifetime."

Thomas grew up in Pin Point, near Savannah, but went up North to attend the College of Holy Cross and Yale Law School. UGA began admitting black students in 1961 after a federal court order.

Thomas beamed as he took to the stage in the center of Sanford Stadium under sunny skies. His address was frequently self-deprecating.

"I promise I will not clutter up your special day with ruminations on jurisprudence," he said to scattered laughter.

Thomas urged the 4,600 UGA graduates to stay true to faith, family and friends.

And he told the students to thank those who had helped them earn their degrees.

"None of you made it here on your own," he said.

Thomas was invited to speak by University President Michael Adams, but some on campus say Thomas' highly publicized Supreme Court confirmation hearings where a former employee accused him of sexual harassment makes him an inappropriate guest after a year of sexual harassment scandals on campus.

Three professors have resigned since September because of accusations of sexual harassment, and another was placed on leave for a month while allegations against him were investigated.

Adams dismissed the criticism as being about Thomas' conservative political views and not his past.

The Associated Press

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