Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, snagged an honorary degree from Dakota State University, and the woke crowd is predictably fuming.
KELO reported that the ceremony in Madison, South Dakota, saw Noem not only collect a Doctor of Public Service but also deliver a commencement speech that hit all the right notes. Leave it to the left to cry foul when a conservative gets a well-earned nod.
On Saturday, Dakota State University rolled out the red carpet for Noem, celebrating her contributions while shrugging off the inevitable backlash.
The event, complete with regional, state, and federal law enforcement keeping the peace, doubled as a commencement ceremony where Noem inspired graduates. In a world obsessed with tearing down success, DSU dared to honor it.
The South Dakota Board of Regents, which greenlights honorary degrees, backed DSU’s choice, citing Noem’s service to the state and her field.
Under their rules, such awards go to those with distinction, outstanding service, or scholarly impact—boxes Noem checks. Yet, the naysayers still clutched their pearls, proving outrage is their default setting.
DSU President José-Marie Griffiths praised Noem’s role in securing funds for the university’s cybersecurity programs. “She would engage in discussions with partners around the state or with stakeholders across the nation,” Griffiths said, highlighting Noem’s strategic vision. Funny how the critics conveniently ignore her tangible results.
Noem’s commencement address was a masterclass in cutting through the noise of modern insecurities. She urged graduates to embrace their unique talents and ditch the self-doubt that woke culture loves to peddle. In an era of endless victimhood, her call to confidence was a breath of fresh air.
“This school is a special little place in the United States of America,” Noem declared, spotlighting DSU’s unique role. She’s not wrong—DSU’s cybersecurity programs are a national gem, and Noem’s support has only strengthened them. The left might scoff, but results speak louder than tweets.
Noem didn’t stop at praising the university; she got personal with the graduates. “I’m going to encourage you to, as you identify your gifts and talents that are unique to you and what you have to offer, to just let the insecurities go,” she said. Imagine that—telling young people to be bold instead of coddling their fragility.
Her advice wasn’t just fluffy platitudes; it was a roadmap for success. “Just let them be released and go forward, and be who you are,” Noem continued, pushing graduates to own their potential. In a culture that rewards whining, her words were a much-needed slap of reality.
The controversy over Noem’s degree, though, loomed like a dark cloud. Some called it undeserved, ignoring her track record of boosting South Dakota’s profile in cybersecurity and beyond. Turns out, when you challenge the woke orthodoxy, they don’t just disagree—they demand your erasure.
DSU’s administration, to its credit, didn’t buckle under the pressure. Noem praised their work in preparing students to bolster the cybersecurity workforce, a field critical to national security. While the outrage mob typed their manifestos, DSU focused on producing graduates who matter.
The Board of Regents’ policy is clear: honorary degrees reward distinction, service, or scholarship. Noem’s work, from securing funding to elevating South Dakota’s role in national security, fits the bill. Critics might scream “politics,” but their selective amnesia about her achievements is telling.
“Things happen here that you can’t get anywhere else,” Noem said of DSU, and she’s spot-on. The university’s niche in cybersecurity sets it apart, and Noem’s advocacy has helped put it on the map. The haters can keep hating, but DSU’s impact isn’t up for debate.
Noem’s speech wasn’t just about DSU—it was a call to action for the next generation. “What you have to offer the world as an individual will be incredibly impactful and special,” she told graduates. In a world drowning in groupthink, her emphasis on individuality was downright revolutionary.
Law enforcement’s presence, both inside and outside the ceremony, underscored the tension surrounding Noem’s appearance. The fact that such measures were needed speaks volumes about the left’s tolerance for differing views. Actions have consequences, and Noem’s critics seem hell-bent on proving it.