Commencement

By DAVID ELLIS

At graduation ceremonies this year, all is not pomp and circumstance. When George Bush spoke in mid-May at Hampton University, students angered by his civil rights policies displayed the clenched-fist sign. Among others getting a chilly reception:

BILLY JOEL

Fairfield University A philosophy professor at the Catholic college questioned the presentation of an honorary doctorate to the writer of Only the Good Die Young ("Come out Virginia/ Don't let me wait/ You Catholic girls start much too late").

DICK CHENEY

Colorado College About 50 students wearing white armbands and paper peace doves turned their backs on the Secretary of Defense as he addressed his daughter Mary Claire's graduating class.

DOUGLAS WILDER

University of Bridgeport Virginia's Governor -- and potential presidential candidate -- canceled his commencement speech on 24 hours' notice: he refused to cross the picket lines of striking faculty members.

JAMES BAKER

Princeton University So far, more than 600 students and faculty members have signed a petition condemning as an "inappropriate political act" the rumored presentation of an honorary degree to the Secretary of State at the June 11 ceremonies.

TURGUT OZAL

State University of New York at Albany Turkey's President, citing a busy schedule, backed out of last Sunday's commencement exercises after students protested his country's human-rights abuses.

With reporting by Sidney Urquhart