May 16, 2010 by Staff
Despite controversy over his selection as commencement speaker, JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon today drew a mostly positive response from Syracuse University students as he urged them to “have the fortitude to do the right thing, not the easy thing.”
As the head of a financial giant, Dimon’s appearance to the students represented the banking industry, a key player in the financial crisis that has left a weak economy to greet this year’s graduating class.
Dimon spoke of the controversy and said he contacted one of the students who protested his selection – and was impressed.
“I heard her concerns about me, the nation’s banking system and about capitalism itself,” Dimon told the crowd of about 17,000 students, relatives and guests. “Some I thought were legitimate, others I disagreed with. But whether I agree with her or not, I say ‘good for her;’ I’m proud of her for speaking up.
“In fact, it is completely appropriate to hold me accountable for those things I am responsible for.”
Except for a few boos in the beginning, Dimon’s speech drew much applause with only a few spurts of protest, including about a dozen students who removed their graduation robes.
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http://ecreditdaily.com/2010/05/chases-dimon-students-hold-accountable/