Spring Break
Fillmore to speak at commencement ceremony
Traci Newell
Daily Staff Writer
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Throughout her 30-year career, Wong Fillmore studied the education of minority students and the socialization of children for learning across cultures. She was a professor in the department of language and literacy, society and culture in the graduate school of education at the University of California, Berkeley.
Gerry Selter, executive assistant to the president at SJSU, said the president of the university and Irene Miura, Selter's predecessor, chose Wong Fillmore to speak at the commencement. Miura was originally from the College of Education at SJSU.
"I was told that students wanted someone who had been involved in civil rights issues and someone who was from San Jose State," Wong Fillmore said.
Wong Fillmore earned a bachelor's degree in English and linguistics in 1969 from SJSU. She eventually went on to Stanford University to earn a Ph.D. in linguistics.
Wong Fillmore said the time she was at SJSU was a very active time for the fight of civil rights.
"The world has changed but the fight for civil rights still goes on," she said.
She said she wanted to give students a sense of things that remain to be done. She wants to establish civil rights as a battleground for democracy and justice.
"I count the time at San Jose State as one of the most valuable experiences I have had in my life," Wong Fillmore said.
Wong Fillmore, a strong proponent of bilingual education, said she is currently working on researching the language issue in classrooms. She is a volunteer in a fifth grade class and she said the experience manifested the pressures teachers feel because of new policies set by the government.
"A truly great free public education system is the cornerstone of democracy," she said.
She said she wants graduates to keep the true ideals of a democratic society, especially when they are making decisions in the voting booth.
Brian Chapman, a graduating senior majoring in political science, said he believes Wong Fillmore can give students a better understanding of the world because she studies different languages.
"If people are able to better understand what everyone is saying, then it could bring people together instead of splitting them apart," Chapman said.
In addition to Wong Fillmore speaking at the commencement, two additional civil rights activists will receive honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from SJSU, according to an SJSU press release.
Tommie Smith and John Carlos, both alumni and Olympic medalists, achieved international attention at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics when they raised their gloved fists on the victory stand as symbols of black power and unity in America.
According to the press release, their action was widely unpopular and caused the pair to be banned from the national track team and asked to leave the Olympic Village. Eventually their silent protest became one of the most memorable moments in the American civil rights movement.
Both men won Olympic medals and have broken collegiate, national and work records in track and field.
Smith is currently a faculty member and coach at Santa Monica College. Carlos is the track and field coach and school suspension supervisor for Palm Springs High School, the press release stated.
An audience of about 25,000 students, faculty members, family members and friends are expected to attend this year's commencement.
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